BENTON, Ill. – Following a two-week sting operation led by the FBI, eight Illinoisans are facing federal charges for running a drug ring.
Prosecutors with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Illinois said the arrests and charges are the result of a regional anti-crime task force comprised of local, state, and federal authorities.
The group was tasked with dismantling violent criminal networks in the region.
The arrests are the result of an investigation that began in late May and went through early June.
A federal grand jury indicted the following people:
- Sarah L. Elverd, 35, of Centralia, with one count of possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of meth
- Alan D. Fleming, 41, of Mount Vernon, with four counts of distribution of meth
- John A. Fowler, 49, of Mount Vernon, with eight counts of distribution of meth
- James B. Lockwood, 43, of Mount Vernon, with four counts of distribution of meth
- Cedric R. Long, 32, of Bluford, with two counts of distribution of meth
- Christopher L. Webb, 38, of Mount Vernon, with one count of possession with intent to distribute meth
- Scott T. Miller, 40, of Centralia, with two counts of distribution of meth and one count of possession with intent to distribute meth
- Damion D. Thrailkill, 39, of Mount Vernon, with one count of distribution of meth
The task force also arrested three Mount Vernon residents on local drug charges in Jefferson County, Illinois: Janay Branch, Adria E. Carruth Jr., and Anthony Smith.
Prosecutors said the investigation is still ongoing and more arrests could be coming.
