Three Southern Illinois Residents Charged With Methamphetamine Conspiracy

On December 3, 2013, George G. Oliver, 55, of Makanda, Toni J. Johnson, 32, and Sommer C. Koons, 30, both of Murphysboro, were charged by superseding indictment with conspiracy to manufacture methamphetamine, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, announced today.

The offense occurred between 2009 and October 2013, in Union and Jackson Counties. At their bond hearings, Oliver and Johnson were ordered held without bond pending a February 10, 2014, jury trial. The methamphetamine offense carries a penalty of up to 20 years in prison, to be followed by 3 years of supervised release, and a fine of $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, Union County Sheriff’s Office, Murphysboro Police Department and Drug Enforcement Administration. The Illinois State Police Methamphetamine Response Team and Union County State’s Attorney’s Office assisted in the investigation.

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