News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 13, 2009
Contact: Thomas E. Murphy
Number: (314)538-4660

Three Centralia, Illinois Men Charged With Distribution Of Illegal Narcotics

OCT 13 -- (Benton, IL) - A. Courtney Cox, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, announced today that on October 6, 2009, Jeramie WALLACE, age 30, Hector S. BARNES, age 32, and Earl L. DYESS, age 33, of Centralia, Illinois, were charged in separate Indictments returned by a Federal Grand Jury sitting in Benton, Illinois.

WALLACE was charged in a two-count indictment charging the distribution of crack cocaine. Count 1 charges that on June 2, 2009, WALLACE distributed crack cocaine. Count 2 charges that on June 8, 2009, WALLACE distributed crack cocaine. BARNES was charged in a two-count indictment charging distribution of heroin. Count 1 charges that on June 9, 2009, BARNES distributed heroin. Count 2 charges that on June 24, 2009, BARNES distributed heroin. DYESS was charged in a two-count indictment charging the distribution of crack cocaine. Count 1 charges that on June 19, 2009, DYESS distributed crack cocaine. Count 2 charges that on June 23, 2009, DYESS distributed crack cocaine. Each count carries a possible penalty of up to 20 years’ imprisonment, a fine of up to $1,000,000, and a term of supervised release of at least 3 years.

The investigation was conducted by the Centralia Police Department, the Clinton County Sheriff’s Department, the Joint Narcotics Unit of the Mt. Vernon Police Department and the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Illinois State Police, the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, the Marion County State’s Attorney’s Office, the United States Secret Service, the United States Marshal Service, and other law enforcement agencies pursuant to their participation in the Project Safe Neighborhoods Initiative.

The case is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney George Norwood.