Williamson County Man Sentenced To Twenty Four Years On Methamphetamine Conspiracy Charge

On June 5, 2013, Steven A. Smith, 33, of Johnston City, Illinois, was sentenced in United States District Court in Benton on an indictment charging conspiracy to manufacture methamphetamine, Stephen R. Wigginton, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, announced.

Smith, who had previously pled guilty to the methamphetamine charge, was sentenced to 288 months’ imprisonment, 10 years’ supervised release, and was fined $300. The offense occurred between 2010 and January 2012, in Williamson, Jackson, and Franklin Counties. Evidence at the plea and sentencing hearings established that Smith was involved with others in the manufacture of methamphetamine. During the conspiracy, Smith participated in numerous methamphetamine “cooks” and was involved in stealing anhydrous ammonia and obtaining pseudoephedrine pills for the purpose of manufacturing methamphetamine. At sentencing, the district court determined that Smith was responsible for the manufacture of 960 grams of methamphetamine. Smith received an enhanced sentence based on his classification as a Career Offender.

The ongoing investigation is being conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, Murphysboro Police Department, Marion Police Department, Williamson County Sheriff’s Office, Illinois State Police, and Mt. Vernon Police Department.

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