Seven charged with meth and heroin offenses

<span>The U.S. attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, announced in a Friday news release that seven regional residents have been federally indicted on meth and heroin offenses.</span>

<span>Percy residents Paula L. Summers, 61, and Randall A. Miller, 25, along with 32-year-old Justin Ogle (of Steeleville), 34-year-old Christopher R. "Critter" Pelate (of Willisville) and Brian T. "Squirrel" Lane (of Marissa) are charged with conspiracy to manufacture and distribute methamphetamine.</span>

<span>The offenses allegedly occurred between 2013 and May 2015 in Perry, Jackson and Randolph counties.</span>

<span>Summers, along with Percy residents Larry D. Rice, 27, and Amanda J. Reeves, 25, are charged with conspiracy to distribute heroin. That indictment alleges the offenses occurred between 2013 and May 2015 in Perry and Randolph counties.</span>

<span>In a previous release from the Randolph County Sheriff's Office, Summers was arrested on charges of unlawful possession of methamphetamine with intent to deliver and unlawful possession of heroin with intent to deliver.</span>

<span>The arrest was the result of an ongoing investigation and execution of a search warrant at a trailer in Percy on May 28.</span>

<span>"This is just one of the first steps of many," Randolph County Sheriff Shannon Wolff said in previous comments to the Herald Tribune in regard to the search warrant. "Methamphetamine and heroin are dangerous drugs and hurt the lives of those who are involved with it. I'm proud of the work of all the agencies in getting these things done."</span>

<span>Miller, Pelate, Rice, and Reeves made their initial appearances in federal court in Benton on Thursday. They are currently being held without bond pending detention hearings on Tuesday.</span>

<span>Summers, Ogle, and Lane are scheduled to make their initial appearances in federal court today.</span>

<span>The case has been scheduled for an August 10 jury trial. </span>

<span>If convicted, the methamphetamine and heroin offenses carry penalties up to 20 years in prison, to be followed by three years' supervised release, and a $1 million fine. </span>

<span>Wigginton stated in the release that 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.</span>

<span>The ongoing investigation is being conducted by the Randolph County Sheriff's Office, Jackson County Sheriff's Office, Perry County Sheriff's Office, Perry County Drug Task Force, Percy Police Department, Steeleville Police Department, Mascoutah Police Department, Illinois State Police Methamphetamine Response Team, Du Quoin Police Department, Pinckneyville Police Department, and Drug Enforcement Administration.</span>

<span>The Randolph and Perry County State's Attorney offices also assisted in the investigation. The case will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Amanda A. Robertson.</span>