BENTON – A federal grand jury in Benton, Illinois, has charged 13 Southern Illinois residents with narcotics-related offenses, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, announced Thursday.

Five individuals were charged with possession of pseudoephedrine with the intent that it be used for the production of methamphetamine. Those charged with those offenses are: Jordan D.E. Dunstan, 24, of Harrisburg, Illinois; Carolyn S. Glore-McGhee, 43, of Harrisburg, Illinois,; Amanda K. Lewis, 30, of Brookport, Illinois; Marty A. Gibson, 43, of DuQuoin, Illinois; and Jared L. Hall, 29, of Galatia, Illinois.

Five more individuals were charged with conspiracy to possess pseudoephedrine pills and with possessing pseudoephedrine knowing it would be used to manufacture methamphetamine.  Those so charged are: Diana L. Osteen, 49, of West Frankfort, Illinois; Richard L. Poole, 49, of West Frankfort, Illinois; Jerry D. Porritt, 51, of West Frankfort, Illinois; Adam J. Craig, 24, of West Frankfort, Illinois; and Gayla L. Craig, 58, of West Frankfort, Illinois.

Two individuals were charged with conspiracy to manufacture methamphetamine. Those persons are: Blakely D. Sullivan, 48, of Bonnie, Illinois, and Miki Jo Lampley, 40, of Benton, Illinois. One person was charged with distribution of cocaine: Michael G. Nolen, 65, of Benton, Illinois, was charged with committing that offense in Franklin County, Illinois.

Those charged with conspiracy to manufacture methamphetamine face 10 years to life in prison and a $10 million fine. Those charged with conspiracy to provide pseudoephedrine pills to others or with providing pseudoephedrine pills to others face up to 20 years in federal prison and a $250,000 fine.   The individual charged with distribution of cocaine faces up to 20 years in federal prison and a $1,000,000 fine.

An indictment is a formal charge against a defendant.   Under the law, a defendant is presumed to be innocent of a charge until proved guilty beyond a reasonable doubt to the satisfaction of a jury.

The investigation in this case was conducted by the Illinois State Police, Southern Illinois  Drug Task Force, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the West City Police Department, Sesser Police Department, Christopher Police Department, Zeigler Police Department, Saline County Sheriff’s Office, the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office, the Saline County State’s Attorney’s Office and the Franklin County State’s Attorney’s Office. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Thomas E. Leggans.

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