Williamson County Man Charged with Drug Offense

Raymond E. Wells, 47, of Herrin, Illinois, has been charged in a one-count superseding indictment with conspiracy to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Steven D. Weinhoeft, announced today. The federal indictment alleges that the offense occurred between February 2018 and January 2019 in Williamson and Jefferson Counties. On March 22, Wells made his initial appearance in federal court and pleaded not guilty to the charges. He is currently being held without bond pending a March 26 detention hearing.

An indictment is a formal charge against a defendant. Under the law, a defendant is presumed to be innocent of a charge until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt to the satisfaction of a jury.

The drug offenses carry a maximum penalty of 5 to 40 years’ imprisonment, four years of supervised release, and a fine of $5 million.

The ongoing investigation is being conducted by the Southern Illinois Enforcement Group. The Herrin Police Department, Marion Police Department, and Johnston City Police Department also assisted in the investigation.