A Williamson County, Illinois, man was indicted on April 2, 2013, in an indictment charging conspiracy to manufacture methamphetamine, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, announced today.
On April 8, 2013, Jeremieh L. Hodge, 32, of Creal Springs, was arraigned in United States District Court in Benton. The indictment alleged that the offense occurred between 2009 and March 2013, in Williamson, Saline, and Johnson Counties. At an April 9, 2013, hearing, Hodge was ordered released on bond pending a June 10, 2013, jury trial.
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.
If convicted, Hodge faces a minimum of 5, to a maximum of 40 years in prison, a $5,000,000 fine, and 4 years of supervised release.
The ongoing investigation is being conducted by the Illinois State Police, Johnson County Sheriff’s Office, Williamson County Sheriff’s Office, and Jackson County Sheriff’s Office. The Creal Springs Police Department also assisted during the investigation.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Amanda A. Robertson.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
