On Aug. 20, 2015, Michael A. Boyt, Jr., 19, of Marion, pled guilty to one-count of 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 between 2013 and January 2015, Boyt, Jr. was involved with his father, Michael Boyt, Sr., and others in the manufacture of methamphetamine. Boyt, Jr. cooked methamphetamine and collected pseudoephedrine pills from others. On January 5, 2015, Boyt, Jr., also sold methamphetamine to a confidential source working for law enforcement. The offense occurred in Perry, Randolph, Williamson, Jackson, and Franklin Counties. Boyt, Jr. is currently being held without bond pending a December 8, 2015, sentencing hearing. The methamphetamine offense carries a maximum penalty of up to 20 years’ imprisonment, to be followed by 3 years’ supervised release, and a $1,000,000 fine. Two co-defendants have pled not guilty and are awaiting jury trial.
The ongoing investigation is being conducted by the Randolph County Sheriff’s Office, Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, Steeleville Police Department, Coulterville Police Department, Sparta Police Department, Perry County Drug Task Force, and Illinois State Police Methamphetamine Response Team. The Randolph County State’s Attorney’s Office also assisted in the investigation.
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
