(BENTON, IL) — On September 11, 2015, Russell A. Stokes, 24, of Benton, pled guilty to one-count of conspiracy to manufacture methamphetamine, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, announced Monday. Evidence at the plea hearing established that between 2013 and January 2015, Stokes was involved with co-defendants Michael Boyt, Jr., Jonathan Haslett, and others in the manufacture of methamphetamine. Stokes provided pseudoephedrine to multiple other persons to use to manufacture methamphetamine. The offense occurred in Perry, Randolph, Williamson, Jackson, and Franklin Counties. Stokes is currently being held without bond pending a December 29, 2015, sentencing hearing. The methamphetamine offense carries a maximum penalty of up to 20 years’ imprisonment, 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, Steeleville Police Department, Coulterville Police Department, Sparta Police Department, Perry County Drug Task Force, and Illinois State Police Methamphetamine Response Team. The Randolph County State’s Attorney’s Office also assisted in the investigation. The case is assigned to Assistant United States Attorney Amanda A. Robertson for prosecution.

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