Three Southern Illinois Residents Charged With Methamphetamine Offenses

Three Southern Illinois residents were indicted on March 3, 2015, for methamphetamine-related offenses, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, announced today.

John G. Haslett, 40, of Willisville, Russell A. Stokes, 23, of Benton, and Michael A. Boyt, Jr., 19, of Marion, are charged in a three-count indictment charging conspiracy to manufacture methamphetamine. Haslett and Stokes are also charged with one count of possession of pseudoephedrine knowing that it would be used to manufacture methamphetamine The indictment alleges that the offenses occurred between 2013 and January 2015, in Perry, Randolph, Williamson, Jackson, and Franklin Counties. Stokes made his initial appearance in federal court in Benton on March 9, 2015. He is currently being held without bond pending a March 10, 2015, detention hearing. Haslett and Boyt, Jr. are scheduled to make their initial appearances in federal court on March 16, 2015.

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.

The methamphetamine offense carries a maximum penalty of up to 20 years in federal prison, to be followed by 3 years’ supervised release, and a $1,000,000 fine.

The ongoing investigation is being conducted by the Randolph County Sheriff’s Office, Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, Steeleville Police Department, Coulterville Police Department, Sparta Police Department, Perry County Drug Task Force, and Illinois State Police Methamphetamine Response Team. The Randolph County State’s Attorney’s Office also assisted in the investigation.

Assistant United States Attorney Amanda A. Robertson will prosecute the case.