Two Williamson County residents were indicted on Feb. 2, 2016, for a methamphetamine offense, the Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, James L. Porter, announced today.
Blake R. Gordon, 34, and Shara L. Peyton, a/k/a "Shara Smothers," 39, both of Marion, are charged in a one-count indictment charging conspiracy to distribute more than 50 grams of methamphetamine. The indictment alleges that the offense occurred between August 2015 and Dec. 15, 2015, in Williamson County. Peyton made her initial appearance in federal court on February 4, 2016. She was ordered held without bond pending a February 5, 2016, detention hearing. Gordon is being held without bond on a prior revocation matter.
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.
The methamphetamine offense carries a of 5 to 40 years’ imprisonment, to be followed by 4 years’ supervised release, and a $5,000,000 fine.
The ongoing investigation is being conducted by the Southern Illinois Enforcement Group, Illinois State Police/Southern Illinois Drug Task Force, and Drug Enforcement Administration. The Herrin Police Department 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
