South Holland Man Charged In Southern Illinois Crack Cocaine Conspiracy

A South Holland, IL, resident was indicted on September 4, 2013, and charged with conspiracy to distribute crack cocaine, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, announced today.

The indictment alleges that Albert Wesley, a/k/a “Boog,” “Boogie,” 29, committed the conspiracy offense between 2012, and April 2013, in Williamson and Jackson Counties. Wesley made his initial appearance in federal court on September 16, 2013, and was ordered held without bond pending his September 19, 2013, detention hearing. Co-defendant Eric Scott Russell, 47, previously appeared in federal court and was ordered held without bond pending a November 18, 2013, jury trial.

An indictment is a formal charge against a defendant. Under the law, a defendant is presumed to be innocent of a charge until proved guilty beyond a reasonable doubt to the satisfaction of a jury.

If convicted, Wesley and Russell each face a term of imprisonment of up to 20 years, a $1,000,000 fine, and 3 years of supervised release.

The ongoing investigation is being conducted by the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, Murphysboro Police Department, Carbondale Police Department, and Drug Enforcement Administration.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Amanda A. Robertson.