Meth Kingpin Pleads Guilty

Johnny W. Hetterscheidt, 37, of Junction, Illinois, has pleaded guilty to a serious methamphetamine related offense.

Hetterscheidt was charged with unlawfully possessing pseudoephedrine with the intent that it be used to manufacture methamphetamine. The offense allegedly occurred on October 11, 2013, in Saline County.

Assistant United States Attorney James M. Cutchin is prosecuting the case, which was investigated by the Carmi office of the Southern Illinois Drug Task Force.

Hetterscheidt faces up to 20 years in prison, up to a $250,000 fine, and 3 years of supervised release to follow his incarceration when sentenced.

Hetterscheidt has been held without bond since his arrest on the federal charges and was again remanded to the custody of the United States Marshal to await sentencing, which was set for May 22, 2014, at 10:00 a.m. at the United States District Courthouse in Benton.

The United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton, announced Hetterscheidt’s guilty plea. The indictment was returned by a Federal Grand Jury on November 20, 2013.

Hetterscheidt’s guilty plea is a significant blow to the methamphetamine trade in the region. The Southern Illinois Drug Task Force has been working diligently to combat the spread of methamphetamine and bring those responsible to justice.

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