U.S. DISTRICT COURT, BENTON—Christopher S. Brown, 32, of Xenia, Ill., was indicted on April 8, 2014, on methamphetamine related charges in a two count Indictment returned by a Federal Grand Jury sitting in Benton, Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, announced today.
Count 1 charges that from August 2012, until on or about November 20, 2013, in Clay County, Brown conspired and agreed with others to knowingly and intentionally manufacture methamphetamine. Count 2 charges that from August 5, 2012, to on or about November 5, 2013, Brown knowingly and intentionally possessed pseudoephedrine, knowing and having reasonable cause to believe that the pseudoephedrine would be used to manufacture methamphetamine.
With respect to Count 1, Brown faces up to 20 years imprisonment, up to $1,000,000 fine, and supervised release of at least 3 years. With respect to Count 2, Brown faces up to 20 years imprisonment, up to $250,000 fine, and supervised release of up to 3 years. 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 Flora Police Department, the Clay County Sheriff’s Office, and the Southeastern Illinois Drug Task Force. The case is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney George Norwood.