BENTON – Eleven people are facing federal charges for distributing meth in Jackson, Massac, Perry, Saline and Williamson counties following an investigation into the drug trafficking network in southern Illinois.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Illinois, 32-year-old Nigelle J. Bird, 32, of Cape Girardeau was charged with one federal count of distribution of meth in Jackson County.
Thirty-five-year-old Nathan Behrens of Harrisburg was charged with one federal count of distribution of meth in Williamson County
Thirty-six-year-old Darvon D. Ellis of Harrisburg is facing two counts of distribution of meth in Saline and Williamson counties.
Forty-one-year-old Jeffrey T. Dancy of Sparta was charged with two counts of distribution of meth in Perry County.
Thirty-six-year-old Blake Mann of Carrier Mills was charged with two federal counts of distribution of meth in Saline County.
Forty-four-year-old Desmond Nelson and 47-year-old Chanel Nelson, both of Carrier Mills, are each facing three federal counts of distribution of meth in Saline County.
Thirty-six-year-old Tony L. Goss Jr., of Brookport, 27-year-old Kelsey M. Hesser of Smithland and 40-year-old Autumn J. Lynn of Golconda are facing one federal count of conspiracy to distribute meth in Massac County. Goss was charged with four additional counts of distribution of meth, Lynn was charged with two additional counts, and Hesser with one additional count.
Thirty-two-year-old Joe J. Taylor of Brookport is facing two charges of distribution of meth in Massac County and one count of felon in possession of a firearm.
“The charged offenders are accused of distributing meth mainly across five rural counties in southern Illinois,” said U.S. Attorney Rachelle Aud Crowe. “DEA agents and our local law enforcement partners are dedicating resources to help ensure illegal drug distribution operations continue to be identified and disrupted.”
“Drug traffickers drive violence and infect our communities,” said Assistant Special Agent in Charge Joseph Dixon, head of Drug Enforcement Administration investigations in southern Illinois. “DEA is committed to removing these individuals from every aspect of society by working with our law enforcement partners to disrupt, dismantle and destroy the criminal organizations they belong to. Our commitment to the citizens of southern Illinois and the American public is steadfast, and doesn’t stop with just one win. We will continually strive to make our streets safe.”
An indictment is merely 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.
DEA led the investigation with assistance from the Carbondale Police Department, ATF, the U.S. Marshals Service and the Illinois State Police.