On Jan. 25, 2013, a Williamson County resident was sentenced in U.S. District Court on a one-count indictment, charging conspiracy to manufacture methamphetamine, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, announced today.
Christopher D. Norris, 30, of Pittsburg, was sentenced to 216 months in prison, to be followed by 5 years of supervised release, and fined $400. Evidence at the plea and sentencing hearings established that Norris was involved with others in the manufacture of methamphetamine. The offense occurred between 2010 and January 2012 in Williamson, Jackson, and Franklin Counties. Norris provided pseudoephedrine pills to others for use in the manufacture of methamphetamine. Norris was also involved in a home invasion/theft of anhydrous ammonia. At sentencing, the district court determined that Norris was responsible for the manufacture of 840 grams of methamphetamine. The district court also found that Norris used violence during the offense. Norris was classified as a Career Offender. Three co-defendants have pled guilty to their role in the methamphetamine conspiracy and are awaiting sentencing. One co-defendant has pled not guilty and is awaiting jury trial. 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 ongoing investigation is being conducted by the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, Williamson County Sheriff’s Office, Murphysboro Police Department, Marion Police Department, Illinois State Police, Mt. Vernon Police Department, and Drug Enforcement Administration.
The case is assigned to Assistant United States Attorney Amanda A. Robertson for prosecution.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
