BENTON — Five southern Illinois residents were indicted on July 7, 2015, in a two-count superseding indictment, charging conspiracy to manufacture and distribute methamphetamine and conspiracy to distribute heroin, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, announced Monday.

Franklin S. Denault, a/k/a “Frankie D,” 38, of Steeleville, Michael F. Halliday, a/k/a “Micky,” 33, of Elkville, and Nicholas C. Draege, 24, of DuQuoin, are charged with conspiracy to manufacture and distribute methamphetamine.

The superseding indictment alleges that the methamphetamine offense occurred between 2013 and June 2015, in Perry, Jackson, and Randolph Counties. Denault, along with Leah A. Bean, 33, and Jami L. Hoelscher, 36, both of Steeleville, are charged with conspiracy to distribute heroin. The superseding indictment alleges that the heroin offense occurred between 2013 and June 2015 in Perry and Randolph Counties.

Draege made his initial appearance in federal court on July 14, 2015. Denault, Halliday, Bean, and Hoelscher made their initial appearances in federal court on July 20, 2015. The co-defendants were ordered held without bond pending a September 14, 2015, jury trial. Seven co-defendants, who were charged in the original indictment, have previously made court appearances on these charges.

If convicted, the methamphetamine and heroin offenses carry penalties of a term of imprisonment of up to 20 years, to be followed by 3 years’ supervised release, and a $1,000,000 fine.

The ongoing investigation is being conducted by the Randolph County Sheriff’s Office, Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, Perry County Sheriff’s Office, Perry County Drug Task Force, Percy Police Department, Steeleville Police Department, Mascoutah Police Department, Illinois State Police Methamphetamine Response Team, DuQuoin Police Department, Pinckneyville Police Department, and Drug Enforcement Administration. The Randolph and Perry County State’s Attorney’s Offices also assisted in the investigation.

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