Three Murphysboro Residents Charged With Drug Offenses

On October 31, 2013, Maurice L. Robinson, a/k/a “Ray Ray,” 33, Jamie Kay Kelly, a/k/a “Jamie K.” and “Jamie K. Short,” 45, and Harold Lawayne Barron, a/k/a “Wayne,” 50, all of Murphysboro, were arraigned in federal court in Benton, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, announced today. On October 23, 2013, Robinson, Kelly, and Barron, were charged by indictment with Conspiracy to Distribute Crack Cocaine. Kelly and Barron were also charged with Conspiracy to Manufacture Methamphetamine. At the October 31, 2013, court hearing, all three were ordered held without bond pending a December 30, 2013, jury trial.

The crack cocaine offense occurred between May 2013, and September 2013, in Jackson County. The methamphetamine offense occurred between August 2012, and October 2013, in Jackson and Perry Counties. Both offenses carry penalties of up to 20 years in prison, to be followed by 3 years supervised release, and a fine of up to $1,000,000.

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.

The ongoing investigation is being conducted by the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, Southern Illinois Enforcement Group, Murphysboro Police Department, Illinois State Police, and the Drug Enforcement Administration. The Jackson County State’s Attorney’s Office assisted in the investigation.

The case is assigned to Assistant United States Attorney Amanda A. Robertson for prosecution.