Wilbur
New Member
Sheriff Fred Frederking announced Wednesday that the combined efforts of his office, the Randolph County Municipal Drug Task Force, Illinois State Police Southern Illinois Drug Task Force and Randolph County State's Attorney's Office - along with considerable hard work and patience by all of the involved agencies - have led to three more drug arrests.
Darrell Spears, 42, and Mary Lou Harris, 38, both of County Club Road in Sparta, were arrested Wednesday in connection with the discovery and surveillance of a marijuana patch this past summer.
Also arrested was Shane Alberson, 26, of Red Bud, in connection with another marijuana growing operation, Frederking said.
He said authorities discovered the plots and conducted surveillance to identify the suspects. He said it's not believed there is a connection between the Spears/Harris arrest and the Alberson arrest. However, both growing plots were located in rural Randolph County areas.
Each of the three arrested this week has been charged with unlawful cultivation of cannabis sativa plants and unlawful possession of cannabis. Bond was set at $1,000 for each of the defendants. Conviction could carry a penalty of one to three years in prison.
Frederking noted that the trio of arrests this week follows closely on the heels of an arrest last month of a rural Prairie du Rocher couple also accused of growing marijuana plants in their home. Joseph Ellner, 35, and Julie Ellner, 30, were each charged with unlawful delivery of cannabis, unlawful production of cannabis sativa plant and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia.
Authorities allege nine cannabis plants were seized along with various items of drug paraphernalia at their home. The Ellners were released after each posted $10,000 bond.
Thus far in 2006, Frederking said the combined efforts of the law enforcement agencies in Randolph County have led to the seizure of about 50 cannabis plants with a street value of approximately $100,000. He said the investigations are continuing and additional arrests are pending.
Newshawk: user
Source: The Southern Illinoisan
Pubdate: 3 November 2006
Author: Christi Mathis
Copyright: 2006 The Southern Illinoisan
Contact: [EMAIL="cmathis5@verizon.net]cmathis5@verizon.net[/EMAIL]
Darrell Spears, 42, and Mary Lou Harris, 38, both of County Club Road in Sparta, were arrested Wednesday in connection with the discovery and surveillance of a marijuana patch this past summer.
Also arrested was Shane Alberson, 26, of Red Bud, in connection with another marijuana growing operation, Frederking said.
He said authorities discovered the plots and conducted surveillance to identify the suspects. He said it's not believed there is a connection between the Spears/Harris arrest and the Alberson arrest. However, both growing plots were located in rural Randolph County areas.
Each of the three arrested this week has been charged with unlawful cultivation of cannabis sativa plants and unlawful possession of cannabis. Bond was set at $1,000 for each of the defendants. Conviction could carry a penalty of one to three years in prison.
Frederking noted that the trio of arrests this week follows closely on the heels of an arrest last month of a rural Prairie du Rocher couple also accused of growing marijuana plants in their home. Joseph Ellner, 35, and Julie Ellner, 30, were each charged with unlawful delivery of cannabis, unlawful production of cannabis sativa plant and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia.
Authorities allege nine cannabis plants were seized along with various items of drug paraphernalia at their home. The Ellners were released after each posted $10,000 bond.
Thus far in 2006, Frederking said the combined efforts of the law enforcement agencies in Randolph County have led to the seizure of about 50 cannabis plants with a street value of approximately $100,000. He said the investigations are continuing and additional arrests are pending.
Newshawk: user
Source: The Southern Illinoisan
Pubdate: 3 November 2006
Author: Christi Mathis
Copyright: 2006 The Southern Illinoisan
Contact: [EMAIL="cmathis5@verizon.net]cmathis5@verizon.net[/EMAIL]
