Two Carbondale Residents Charged With Crack Cocaine Conspiracy

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On May 21, 2014, Johnathan T. Buck, a/k/a “Buffalo,” 40, and Maurice L. Christian, a/k/a “Reece,” 26, both of Carbondale, were charged by indictment with conspiracy to distribute crack cocaine, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, announced today.

The offense occurred between 2013 and March 2014, in Jackson County. Buck made his initial appearance in federal court on May 27, 2014. At his May 29, 2014, 2014, detention hearing, he was ordered held without bond pending a July 28, 2014, jury trial. Christian is scheduled to make his initial appearance in federal court on June 12, 2014.

The crack cocaine 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 Southern Illinois Enforcement Group, Carbondale Police Department, and 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.