Eight people from the Centralia and Mt. Vernon area have been arrested on methamphetamine related charges following a two-week coordinated operation led by the FBI.
A federal grand jury charged:
- 35-year-old Sarah L. Elverd of Centralia, with one count of possession with intent to distribute fifty grams or more of meth,
- 41-year-old Alan D. Fleming of Mount Vernon, with four counts of distribution of meth,
- 49-year-old John A. Fowler of Mount Vernon, with eight counts of distribution of meth,
- 43-year-old James B. Lockwood of Mount Vernon, with four counts of distribution of meth,
- 32-year-old Cedric R. Long of Bluford, with two counts of distribution of meth,
- 38-year-old Christopher L. Webb of Mount Vernon, with one count of possession with intent to distribute meth,
- 40-year-old Scott T. Miller of Centralia, with two counts of distribution of meth and one count of possession with intent to distribute meth,
- and 39-year-old Damion D. Thrailkill of Mount Vernon, with one count of distribution of meth.
The arrests are the result of a multi-agency investigation targeting crime throughout southern Illinois in late May and early June. The investigations were spearheaded by the FBI Southern Illinois TOC-West Task Force, a task force composed of federal, state, and local law enforcement officers dedicated to dismantling violent criminal networks and safeguarding the communities they serve.
Karen Marinos, Assistant Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Springfield Division, says the arrests should send a clear message that we’re taking a more aggressive posture toward violent crime. No matter how remote the area or how insulated the group thinks it is—if you threaten the safety of our communities, they will act swiftly and decisively. Marinos says this operation was only possible because of the strong coordination among our law enforcement partners—a partnership that grows stronger every day. When we work together with a unified mission, there’s nowhere left for violent criminals to hide.”
In addition, the task force arrested three individuals on state charges in Jefferson County.
- Janay Branch, of Mount Vernon, has been sentenced to 12 years in prison on one count of conspiracy to distribute.
- Anthony Smith, of Mount Vernon, faces one count of conspiracy to distribute meth.
- Adrian E. Carruth Jr., of Mount Vernon, was charged with one count of meth
delivery 100-400 grams, possession of cocaine 15-100 grams and conspiracy to distribute meth.
Beyond making arrests, law enforcement executed a series of search warrants during this operational period and seized firearms, cocaine, heroin, fentanyl, cannabis, and U.S. currency.
Agencies assisting in the investigation and arrests include the U.S. Marshals Service’s Benton and East St. Louis Office, Carlyle Police Department, Fayette County Sheriff’s Office, Mount Vernon Police Department, Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, Bond County Sheriff’s Office, Centralia Police Department, and the Jefferson County State’s Attorney’s Office.
US Attorney Steven Weinhoeft says the investigation remains ongoing, and additional charges or arrests may follow. He says dealers know how addictive and destructive meth is for users but choose to infect communities and place profits above people.
