On February 4, 2014, Michael A. Boyt, Sr., 41, of Marion, and Matthew S. Beers, 30, of Johnston City, were charged by indictment with conspiracy to manufacture methamphetamine, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, announced today.
The offense occurred between 2012 and January 2014, in Williamson, Perry, Jackson, and Randolph Counties. Beers made his initial appearance in federal court on February 10, 2014. At his February 14, 2014, detention hearing, he was ordered held without bond pending an April 21, 2014, jury trial. Boyt made his initial appearance on February 13, 2014. He is currently being held without bond pending a February 18, 2014, detention hearing.
The methamphetamine offense carries a penalty of up to 20 years’ imprisonment, to be followed by 3 years’ supervised release, and a fine of $1,000,000.
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 ongoing investigation is being conducted by the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, Southern Illinois Enforcement Group, Illinois State Police/Southern Illinois Drug Task Force, Murphysboro Police Department, and Drug Enforcement Administration. The Illinois State Police Methamphetamine Response Team assisted in the investigation.
The case is assigned to Assistant United States Attorney Amanda A. Robertson for prosecution.