U.S. DISTRICT COURT, BENTON, Ill.—On June 3, 2014, Frank R. Johnson, a/k/a “Mo,” 44, of Elkville, and George A. Mayo, 33, of West Frankfort, were charged by indictment with conspiracy to distribute heroin, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, announced today.
The offense occurred between 2012 and January 2014, in Jackson and Franklin Counties. Johnson and Mayo made their initial appearances in federal court on June 10, 2014, and June 12, 2014, respectively. They were both ordered held without bond pending an August 18, 2014, jury trial.
The heroin offense carries a penalty of up to 20 years in prison, to be followed by 3 years of supervised release, and a fine of $1,000,000. Under the law, a defendant is presumed to be innocent of a charge until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
The ongoing investigation is being conducted by the Southern Illinois Enforcement and Drug Enforcement Administration. The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, West Frankfort Police Department, and Jackson County State’s Attorney’s Office assisted in the investigation.
The case is assigned to Assistant United States Attorney Amanda A. Robertson for prosecution.