News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: May 3, 2010
Contact: Robert J. Hanson
Number: (314)538-4670

Two Jackson County Individuals Charged With Conspiracy To Distribute Crack Cocaine

MAY 3 -- (EAST ST. LOUIS, IL) - A. Courtney Cox, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, announced that on April 20, 2010, KENYA A. GANER, age 30, of Murphysboro, Illinois, and ESTON THOMAS, JR., age 18, of Carbondale, Illinois, were indicted by a Federal Grand Jury sitting in East St. Louis, Illinois, in a one-count indictment charging them with conspiracy to distribute crack cocaine. The violation took place between May 2007, and April 9, 2010, in Jackson and Williamson Counties.

The offense carries a penalty of 10 years’ to life imprisonment, a fine of up to $4,000,000, and a term of 5 years’ supervised release. THOMAS made his initial appearance in federal court on April 27, 2010. On April 30, 2010, THOMAS was ordered held without bond pending a jury trial, which is currently scheduled for a June 15, 2010, jury trial. GANER had previously appeared and is also being held without bond.

The ongoing investigation is being conducted by the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, Murphysboro Police Department, Southern Illinois Enforcement Group, and Drug Enforcement Administration, in cooperation with other area local law enforcement agencies and Jackson County States Attorney Michael Wepsiec. The investigation was conducted as part of the Project Safe Neighborhoods DRAGUN Team Initiative, a cooperative effort of local, state, and federal law enforcement, and state and federal prosecuting authorities, aimed at ridding communities of illegal drugs and guns.

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