United States Drug Enforcement Administration

BENTON, IL - Stephen R. Wigginton, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, announced today that Ray M. Cross of Dalgren, Ill., plead guilty on February 25, 2010, in United States District Court at Benton, Ill., to a one count indictment charging him with possession of a listed (pseudoephedrine) knowing it would be used to manufacture a controlled (methamphetamine),

Cross plead guilty in United States District Court in Benton, Ill. The violation took place from on or about October 2007, through October, 2010, in Jefferson, White and Franklin counties in Illinois. After his plea, Cross was ordered to report to the custody of the United States Marshal on March 25, 2011, pending his sentencing which is set for 10 a.m., June 2, 2011, in Benton.

Cross admitted to the court that he would obtain pseudoephedrine pills for use in manufacturing methamphetamine. The methamphetamine produced was then sold throughout southern Illinois. Records from several merchants throughout southern Illinois showed numerous purchases of pseudoephedrine by Cross during this period.

The offense carries with it a maximum penalty of 20 years imprisonment and a fine of $250,000, or both. Any term of imprisonment must be followed by a term of not more than three years of supervised release.

This investigation was conducted jointly by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Illinois State Police, the Southern Illinois Drug Task Force, and the Franklin County Sheriff’s Offices. The case is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney Michael C. Carr.