Eleven Charged for Drug Trafficking in Southern Illinois

BENTON, Ill. – Following an investigation into the drug trafficking network in southern Illinois, eleven individuals are facing federal charges for distributing meth in Jackson, Massac, Perry, Saline and Williamson counties.

Nigelle J. Bird, 32, of Cape Girardeau, Missouri, was charged with one federal count of distribution of meth in Jackson County.

Nathan Behrens, 35, of Harrisburg, was charged with one federal count of distribution of meth in Williamson County.

Darvon D. Ellis, 36, of Harrisburg, is facing two counts of distribution of meth in Saline and Williamson counties.

Jeffrey T. Dancy, 41, of Sparta, was charged with two counts of distribution of meth in Perry County.

Blake Mann, 36, of Carrier Mills, was charged with two federal counts of distribution of meth in Saline County.

Desmond Nelson, 44, and Chanel Nelson, 47, of Carrier Mills, are each facing three federal counts of distribution of meth in Saline County.

Tony L. Goss Jr., 36, of Brookport, Kelsey M. Hesser, 27, of Smithland, Kentucky, and Autumn J. Lynn, 40 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.

Joe J. Taylor, 32, 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.

A DEA Special Response Team member awaits the next steps in a court-ordered operation in the Carbondale region on Nov. 14, 2024

A Carbondale, Illinois, police officer waits for the start of the operations briefing at the Carbondale Police Department on Nov. 14, 2024.

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Single vehicle accident leads to arrest of Fort Branch man

On November 23, 2024, at 5:08 a.m. Gibson County Central Dispatch received a report of a truck in a ditch in the 4000 block of South 125 West.  Deputy Michael Bates was dispatched to the scene and while enroute to the scene Dispatch notified Deputy Bates that there was a person asleep in the vehicle.  Upon arriving Deputy Bates identified the male as 62 year old Gregory Leister of Fort Branch.  While speaking with Mr. Leister Deputy Bates detected clues that he may be under the influence of alcohol.  At that point Deputy Bates began a roadside DUI investigation.  At the conclusion of his investigation Deputy Bates placed Mr. Leister into custody and transported him to the Gibson County Jail where he was charged with Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated. 
 
Assisting Deputy Bates in his investigation was Sgt. John Fischer.  
 
All criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
 

Allendale Food Drive A Big Success

Allendale School collected over 500 non-perishable food items for the Masonic Lodge to help local families! The Student Council will be having a donut party for the classes that brought in the most items. Kindergarten and 8th grade were the winning classes that brought in 95 items each! Thank you to our Student Council members and sponsor, Elizabeth Perry for heading-up this project and delivering the items to the Masonic Lodge.

Pictured from L to R are: McKinlee Grimes, Tessa White, Bob Winter, Ron Martin, Summer Perry, Supt. Bob Bowser, and Grasyn Morgan.

Mt. Carmel City Council Agenda

AGENDA

CITY OF MOUNT CARMEL

REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING

Monday, November 25, 2024 at 4:00 pm

· Call to Order

o Pledge of Allegiance

o Roll Call

· Approve Minutes

o Minutes of meeting held on 11/12/2024.

· Visitors (topic discussed by visitor(s) is limited to 5 minutes)

· Reports and Communications

o Mayor Judge

o Commissioner Meador Streets, Cemeteries and Parks

o Commissioner Ikemire Finance and Senior Citizens

o Commissioner Meeks Water and Sewer

o Commissioner Zimmerman Fire, Health & Safety, City Hall and Garbage

· Staff Reports

o Ryan Turner Derek McCullough Luis Garcia

o Michael McWilliams Francis Speth Mike Gidcumb

o WEMA Representative

New Business

o 1st reading of Tax Levy

o Consent Agenda

§ Pay all bills by providing proper signatures.

o Removal of items from the Consent Agenda

o Old Business-

o Executive Session-

o Motion to Adjourn-

o Liquor Control Meeting-Immediately after council hearing= N/A

Former Wayne City Police Chief Facing Federal Charges, Accused of Public Corruption

EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill. – A federal grand jury returned an indictment charging the former Wayne City police chief with selling forfeited items confiscated by the department for his personal benefit.

Anson Fenton, 46, of Belle Rive, is facing one count of misapplication of property from federally funded programs and one count of interstate transportation of stolen property.

“Officials in positions of power must be held to the highest ethical standard, and those accused of defrauding the public will be held accountable,” said U.S. Attorney Rachelle Aud Crowe.

Asset forfeiture is a legal process to confiscate the means or proceeds of a crime and can apply to a range of property, including money, vehicles, and real estate, among other assets. Wayne City stores forfeited items at the Wayne City Police Department until city officials pass an ordinance to authorize the sale of the property.

“During our investigation, the ISP Special Investigations Unit found evidence of a public official trying to defraud Wayne City," said ISP Director Brendan F. Kelly. "The public must be able to trust those who work in public service and ISP will continue to work with the U.S. Attorney's Office to investigate violations of the public trust."

According to court documents, Fenton is accused of selling two motorcycles valued at more than $5,000 and trading one motorcycle for a 1991 Ford Mustang for his personal benefit.

“The cornerstone of the public’s trust in law enforcement relies on the expectation that each person who takes the oath to protect and serve the public will do so with integrity,” said FBI Springfield Field Office Special Agent in Charge Christopher Johnson. “The FBI Is committed to investigating anyone who undermines the rule of law and tarnishes the reputation of the many dedicated, honest, and hard-working officers who serve their communities every day.”

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.

If convicted, Fenton could face up to 10 years’ imprisonment and fines up to $250,000 per count.

Wayne City is a village in Wayne County in the Southern District of Illinois.

The Illinois State Police is leading the investigation with support from the FBI Springfield Field Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Steve Weinhoeft is prosecuting the case.

Haubstadt man arrested on DUI charge

On November 22nd, 2024 at approximately 2:20 a.m. a property damage accident was reported at SR 168 and CR 400 W.  Sgt. John Fischer responded and found a White 2015 Ram 1500 off in a small ditch.  Sgt. Fischer identified the driver as Charles Pfhol Jr, age 59 of Haubstadt as the driver.  During the investigation, Sgt. Fischer found probable cause to believe Mr. Pfhol had operated the vehicle while impaired.  Mr. Pfhol was transported to Deaconess Gibson Hospital in Princeton for a chemical test.  Mr. Pfhol registered .29 on the chemical test.  Sgt. Fischer transported him to the Gibson County Jail where he was charged with operating a vehicle while intoxicated with endangerment and operating a vehicle while intoxicated with a BAC over .15%.  Assisting Sgt. John Fischer was Deputy Levi Sims. 
 
All criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Two men arrested after altercation in parking lot outside Toyota

On November 21, 2024, at 4:02 p.m. Gibson County Central Dispatch was contacted by Toyota Central Security to investigate an altercation between two individuals in a parking lot outside of the facility.  Deputy Wyatt Hunt arrived on scene and began an investigation into the incident.  Upon reviewing video surveillance and speaking with both parties involved Deputy Hunt placed both individuals into custody and they were transported to the Gibson County Jail.
 
Suspect #1
Frandy Francois age 31 of Evansville was charged with Battery, Theft, and Disorderly Conduct.
 
Suspect #2
Jimy Ulysse age 32 of Evansville was charged with Battery and Disorderly Conduct.
 
Assisting Deputy Hunt in his investigation were Deputies Bart Wagner and Riley Farmer.
 
All criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Deadline Today To Sign Up For Operation Share-Thanksgiving Phase

Sign ups are now underway for Wabash County’s Operation Share program and there’s a big change this year to the Thanksgiving and Christmas food distribution according to WADI-‘s Debbie Meyer…

Meyer said the change will help stream line the distribution process….

Operation Share is only open to Wabash County residents and there are no income guidelines to participate. To sign up, call the WADI office at 262-4151. The Thanksgiving gift card distribution will be November 26th at the Free Methodist Church.