James Perry Horton, Methamphetamine Offenses, Illinois 2014

Centralia Man Pleads Guilty to Methamphetamine Offenses

A 48-year-old Centralia man has pleaded guilty to methamphetamine offenses in the Southern District of Illinois. James Perry Horton, of Centralia, Illinois, pled guilty to an 11-count indictment returned by a Federal Grand Jury in December 2014.

According to the indictment, Horton, 48, was named in Counts 1 and 11 of the indictment. All offenses relate to the production and distribution of methamphetamine. Specifically, Horton pled guilty to Conspiracy to Manufacture and Distribute Methamphetamine from February 28, 2014, through October 1, 2014 in Clinton and Marion Counties (Count 1), and Possession of a Listed Chemical (Pseudoephedrine) Knowing or Having Reason to Know that It Would Be Used to Manufacture Methamphetamine (Count 11).

Prosecutors say the charges carry a maximum penalty of not less than 5 years, but up to 40 years in federal prison, a $5 million fine, and at least 4 years’ supervised release. Count 11 carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, a $1 million fine, and not less than 3 years’ supervised release.

The investigation into Horton’s activities was conducted by the FBI, the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, and the Clinton County Sheriff’s Department, assisted by the Illinois State Police Methamphetamine Response Team, and the Centralia Police Department. The case is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney Kit Morrissey.

Horton is currently awaiting sentencing and faces a maximum penalty of not less than 5 years, but up to 40 years in federal prison, a $5 million fine, and at least 4 years’ supervised release. He also faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, a $1 million fine, and not less than 3 years’ supervised release for the second count.

Horton’s case is a reminder of the ongoing struggle against methamphetamine production and distribution in southern Illinois. Law enforcement agencies continue to work together to disrupt and dismantle methamphetamine trafficking organizations in the region.

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