(BENTON, IL) — On June 7, 2017, Julian V. Rodriguez, 21, of Johnston City, pled guilty to methamphetamine offenses, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Donald S. Boyce, announced Friday. At the plea hearing, Rodriguez pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute more than 50 grams of methamphetamine and one count of distribution of methamphetamine. Evidence at the plea hearing established Rodriguez was involved with others in the distribution of ice and marijuana. Ice is methamphetamine which has a purity level of at least 80%. The offenses occurred between December 2016 and January 23, 2017, in Williamson County. During his plea, Rodriguez admitted he was responsible for the distribution of more than 500 grams of ice and 540 pounds of marihuana. The offenses carry a maximum penalty of 5-40 years of imprisonment, to be followed by four years of supervised release, and a $5,000,000 fine. The investigation was conducted by the Southern Illinois Enforcement Group and Drug Enforcement Administration. The Williamson County State’s Attorney’s Offices also assisted in the investigation.