Guilty Pleas Entered In Methamphetamine Case
BENTON, IL. - Stephen R. Wigginton, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, announced today that a Grand Tower, Ill., man and woman pled guilty on September 8, 2011, to Conspiracy to Manufacture Methamphetamine.
Eddie O. Allen, III, 33, and Samantha Johnson, 32, both of Grand Tower, pled guilty to a one-count third superseding indictment charging Conspiracy to Manufacture Methamphetamine. Because Allen has a prior felony drug conviction, his offense carries a penalty of 20 years to life imprisonment, a fine of up to $8,000,000 and 10 years’ supervised release. Johnson’s offense carries a penalty of 5-40 years’ imprisonment, a fine of up to $2,000,000, and 4 years’ supervised release. The offense occurred between 2009 and April 6, 2011, in Jackson, Union, Randolph, and Williamson Counties. Evidence offered at the plea hearing established that Allen and Johnson were involved with others in the manufacture, distribution, and use of methamphetamine. On multiple occasions, Johnson supplied pseudoephedrine pills to Allen and others for the manufacture of methamphetamine. Johnson also assisted Allen in stealing anhydrous ammonia. Allen admitted that he was responsible for the manufacture of more than 500 grams of methamphetamine and that he sometimes possessed a firearm while involved in the methamphetamine offense. Johnson admitted that she was responsible for more than 50 grams of methamphetamine.
Allen and Johnson are being held without bond pending their January 6, 2012, sentencing hearing. One co-defendant has previously pled guilty and is awaiting sentencing. Fifteen codefendants have pled not guilty and are awaiting an October 31, 2011, jury trial.
The ongoing investigation is being conducted by the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, Murphysboro Police Department, Union County Sheriff’s Office, and Drug Enforcement Administration. The Jackson County State’s Attorney’s Office and United States Marshal Service also assisted during the investigation.
