Gallatin County sheriff arrested on drug charges

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[Gallatin County Sheriff Raymond Martin was arrested Monday on federal charges of distribution of marijuana.

Martin, 46, Junction, faces three charges of distribution of marijuana and two charges of carrying a firearm during a drug-trafficking crime, according to a news release from the U.S. Attorney's office. An affidavit accompanying the criminal complaint accuses Martin of committing the crimes while on duty, using county-issued vehicle and his service firearm.

Martin was arrested Monday at his office and made his first appearance before a U.S. Magistrate Judge Monday afternoon in Benton. A preliminary and detention hearing is scheduled for 1:15 p.m. Wednesday at federal court in Benton.

Martin has been sheriff since 1990.

An affidavit accompanying the complaint states Martin approached a confidential source with the Drug Enforcement Administration about trafficking at least 40 pounds of marijuana at $1,000 per pound. He also brandished a pistol at the informant on at least one occasion and threatened the life of the informant if he tried to get out of the drug-dealing arrangement. Martin told the confidential source it would be easy to eliminate him. The threats took place in January and February and were apparently what drove the informant to talk to DEA agents, according to the affidavit.

The affidavit states Martin discussed getting rid of other drug dealers in Gallatin County in order to increase his sales and profits. Martin told the DEA source about another person selling marijuana in the county and that Martin was, "Gonna try and put the fear of God in him and see if we can get him out of the business," according to the affidavit.

DEA agents developed the source on April 9. The source told agents he had been in contact with Martin since November about distributing marijuana. At that time, Martin gave the source about two pounds of marijuana and asked if he could "get rid of that" for him. Martin told the source he would give marijuana to the source on a "front" basis, meaning the source would pay for the cannabis after it was sold, according to the affidavit. Profits were apparently split on a 50-50 basis.

Martin and the source met regularly in a secluded location somewhere in southern Gallatin County. Martin regularly drove his Sheriff's Department vehicle to the meetings and regularly carried his service firearm.

The source told DEA agents Martin delivered one or two pounds of marijuana for distribution every one or two weeks between November and April 8. On two other occasions, Martin delivered 10 pounds of marijuana; another time, Martin brought the source 20 pounds of marijuana.

When the bigger deliveries were made, Martin told the source to get what he could out of the marijuana because Martin had not invested anything in it, according to the affidavit. The affidavit stated the marijuana was dried-out and brown and may have been stored in an evidence locker before it was distributed.

The source and Martin usually contacted each other through cellular telephones. Martin used a Gallatin County Sheriff's Department phone, according to the affidavit.

Martin gave the source bail money when the source was arrested on charges of DUI and possession of a controlled substance in Saline County in January, according to the affidavit.

On April 23, Martin and the source met. Upon arrival, the source gave Martin $1,600 for two pounds of marijuana provided on April 8. During that meeting, Martin told the source he was working on getting a bigger supply of marijuana from an unidentified person in Ridgway. On April 27, Martin and the source discussed growing marijuana plants, which had been discussed previously. Martin told the source he had started some plants, described how the plants were growing and suggested the type of fertilizer he had used was the reason.

Martin and the source met May 4 while DEA agents conducted aerial surveillance and video. The source paid Martin $1,400 as part of his debt, then Martin told the source he was aware of another local person who had obtained 12 pounds of marijuana. Martin said he could probably get one or two pounds of it, but needed to see if the source could get it sold before he committed to buying the marijuana, according to the affidavit.

On this occasion, Martin discussed pushing another dealer out of the business by scaring him.

The last encounter between Martin and the source took place May 11. The source called Martin and said he could sell two "cars" if he had them. "Cars" was their cellular phone code for pounds of marijuana, according to the affidavit.

They met at their usual location. Martin arrived in a squad vehicle and in uniform. Law enforcement agents were conducting surveillance of the location. The source gave Martin $1,300 as payment for one pound of marijuana fronted by Martin on May 4. Martin then told the source he had 1/2 pound of marijuana left, but could probably get another 1/2 pound if Martin could contact his source.

Martin told the source one of his "old guys" has a friend who is "hooked up" with the Gangster Disciples gang from whom he could get marijuana for $700 per pound. Martin left the area to make a phone call about the marijuana -- he couldn't get cellular service in the area.

Upon his return, Martin told the source he was going to try to get two or three pounds of better-quality marijuana if he could. He also said he was going to Ridgway to get 1/2 pound of lesser-quality marijuana.

Martin came back with 1/4 pound of marijuana and three smaller bags of better-quality marijuana. Martin also told the source he had ordered some marijuana from Memphis that would arrive Thursday or Friday.

A warrant for Martin's arrest was issued Sunday.

Each of the marijuana counts carry possible maximum sentences of five years, a fine of $250,000 and a term of supervised release of at least two years. The first firearm count carries a minimum penalty of five years imprisonment which must be served consecutively to any sentence on the drug counts, a fine of up to $250,000 and up to five years supervised release. The second firearm count carries a minimum penalty of 25 years imprisonment, which must be served consecutively to the sentences imposed on all other counts, a fine of up to $250,000 and up to five years supervised release. Both firearm counts have a maximum possible penalty of life, according to the release.

The ongoing investigation is led by the Carmi office of the Southern Illinois Drug Task Force and Illinois State Police with the assistance of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, the Internal Revenue Service and the Mount Vernon Police Department.

Assistant U.S. Attorney James M. Cutchin is prosecuting the case.