U.S. DISTRICT COURT, BENTON, Ill.—Robert A. Tate, 30, of Mt. Vernon, Ill., was indicted on July 8, 2014, on methamphetamine related charges in a two count Indictment returned by a Federal Grand Jury sitting in Benton, Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, announced today.
Count 1 charges that from February 2013, until on or about June 2014, in Jefferson County, Tate knowingly conspired to manufacture methamphetamine. Count 2 charges that on March 31, 2014, in Jefferson County, Tate knowingly and intentionally distributed methamphetamine.
With respect to each Count, Tate faces up to 20 years imprisonment, up to $1,000,000 fine, and supervised release of at least 3 years.
An Indictment is 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.
The investigation in this case was conducted by the Joint Narcotics Unit of the Mt. Vernon Police Department and the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department.
The case is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney George Norwood.