Williamson County Man Sentenced to Nearly 20 Years in Prison for Dealing Methamphetamine

On June 5, 2018, William J. Craig, a/k/a "Billy," 35, of Marion, Illinois, was sentenced to 235 months of imprisonment in federal prison for his role in a methamphetamine offense, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Donald S. Boyce, announced today. Craig previously pled guilty to a one-count indictment charging conspiracy to distribute more than 50 grams of methamphetamine. The indictment alleged that the offense occurred between March 2016 and April 2017, in Williamson and Franklin Counties.

Evidence at the plea and sentencing hearings established that Craig was involved with numerous other persons in the manufacture of methamphetamine and the distribution of ice. Ice is methamphetamine with a purity level of at least 80%. At sentencing, the district court found Craig responsible for the possession of 174.96 grams of pseudoephedrine and the distribution of over 116 grams of ice.

Craig received an enhanced sentence for threatening violence during the commission of the offense and for maintaining a drug residence. Because of his prior convictions, Craig was classified as a Career Offender. His sentence includes a four-year term of supervised release.

The investigation was conducted by the Southern Illinois Enforcement Group and the Drug Enforcement Administration. The Marion Police Department and Williamson County States Attorney’s Office also assisted in the investigation.