Jonathan P. W. Garrison of Marion, Illinois, has been charged by indictment with unlawful delivery of methamphetamine, possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, and unlawful possession of a firearm by a convicted felon (2 counts), United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Steven D. Weinhoeft, announced today. The four-count federal indictment alleges that the offenses occurred between Nov. 13, 2018, and Dec. 19, 2018, in Williamson and Franklin Counties. Garrison, 28, made his initial appearance in federal court earlier this week and pleaded not guilty to the charges. He was ordered held without bond pending an April 8, 2019 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 proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt to the satisfaction of a jury.
The drug offenses carry a maximum penalty of 20 years imprisonment, three years of supervised release, and a fine of $1 million. The firearm offenses carry a maximum penalty of 10 years imprisonment, three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000.
The ongoing investigation is being conducted by the Marion Police Department, Southern Illinois Drug Task Force, West Frankfort Police Department, and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. The Williamson County State’s Attorney’s Office also assisted in the investigation.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
