One Williamson County man has been charged, another sentenced and a Mt. Vernon, Illinois man has been sentenced with federal drug offenses.
34 year old Adam Walker of Herrin has been charged by indictment with unlawfully possessing more than 50 grams of meth with the intent to distribute. US Attorney Steve Weinhoeft says the offense occurred on May 1st in Williamson County. Walker made his initial appearance in federal district court yesterday and pled not guilty. He was ordered held without bond pending a September jury trial. If convicted, Walker faces a maximum penalty of up to 40 years, 4 years of parole and up to 5 million dollars in fines. The Marion Police Department is handling the ongoing investigation.
Meanwhile, another Williamson County man has been taken off the streets. 41 year old Timothy Smith of Johnston City has been sentenced to nearly 20 years in federal prison for conspiring to distribute meth. Smith pled guilty to a one count indictment earlier this year. Evidence showed Smith involved with numerous others in distributing the drug throughout Williamson and Franklin Counties. Beyond that, at sentencing, the judge found Smith responsible for distributing 2 kilos of ice (meth with a purity level of at least 80%). Because of Smith’s criminal history, he’s been classified as a career offender.
In a related sentencing, Leonard “Lenny” Falcone, a 51 year old Mt. Vernon, Illinois man has been sentenced to more than 11 years in prison for a federal meth violation. The men were involved in the same meth ring. Falcone received an enhanced sentence due to his possession of a weapon during the offenses, which authorities say occurred from September of 2017 through May 31st of 2018. Falcone’s sentence includes 3 years of parole.
The Southern Illinois Enforcement Group conducted the investigation. Assisting them were the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, Mt. Vernon PD, State Police and the Williamson County States Attorney’s Office.
