U.S. DISTRICT COURT, SOUTHERN DISTRICT, ILLINOIS—On October 22, 2014, Jonathan E. Merydith, 26, of Cobden, Illinois, pled guilty to a one-count indictment charging conspiracy to manufacture methamphetamine, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, announced today.
Evidence at the plea hearing established that Merydith was involved with co-defendant Rusty Smith and others in the manufacture of methamphetamine. The offense occurred between 2012 and March 2014, in Union, Williamson, and Jackson Counties. Merydith is currently being held without bond pending a February 15, 2015, sentencing hearing, at which time he will face up to 20 years in federal prison, to be followed by 3 years’ supervised release, and a fine of $1,000,000. Co-defendants Smith and Ruth Diane Wiseman have previously pled guilty and are awaiting sentencing. One co-defendant has pled not guilty and is awaiting a jury trial.
The ongoing investigation is being conducted by the Union County Sheriff’s Office, Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, Illinois State Police, Williamson County Sheriff’s Office, Marion Police Department, Carbondale Police Department, Illinois State Police Methamphetamine Response Team and Drug Enforcement Administration. The 19th Judicial District Drug Task Force (Tennessee) assisted in the investigation.
The case is assigned to Assistant United States Attorney Amanda A. Robertson for prosecution.