EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill. - The Drug Enforcement Administration and Stephen R. Wigginton, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, announced today that on Sept. 12, 2012, Penelope J. Reed, a/k/a “Penny Warren," 36, of Chester, IL, was convicted by a jury in U.S. District Court in Benton. Reed was convicted of one count of conspiracy to manufacture methamphetamine and three counts of possessing pseudoephedrine knowing that it would be used to manufacture methamphetamine. The offenses occurred between September 2006 and October 2011, in Randolph, Jackson, and Williamson Counties.
“‘Meth’ is a thoroughly dangerous drug. I cannot thank all of the folks involved in this trial, from the jurors to the court room personnel, enough for their hard work in helping us bring ‘meth’manufacturer to justice," said United States Attorney Wigginton.
At her sentencing, Reed will face a penalty of up to 20 years in prison and up to 3 years of supervised release. The conspiracy offense and pseudoephedrine offenses carry fines of up to $1 million and $250,000, respectively. Reed is being held without bond pending her Dec. 14, 2012, sentencing hearing.
The ongoing investigation, which will not end simply because of this conviction, is being conducted by the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, Randolph County Sheriff’s Office, Chester Police Department, Murphysboro Police Department, and the Drug Enforcement Administration. The Crawford County Sheriff’s Office and Robinson Police Department also assisted in the investigation.
The case is assigned to Assistant United States Attorney Amanda A. Robertson for prosecution.
