TILDEN, IL – Two Randolph County residents are facing serious federal charges after being indicted on methamphetamine conspiracy charges, the Department of Justice announced today. The case exposes a suspected multi-county drug operation that allegedly pumped dangerous narcotics into communities across Illinois and Missouri.
Rodney V. Howie, 47, of Tilden, and Jordan P. Leggans, 29, of Sparta, were named in a superseding indictment charging them with conspiracy to distribute more than 50 grams of methamphetamine. Federal prosecutors allege the pair were engaged in this illicit activity between 2015 and February 2017, spreading their operation across Perry, Randolph, Monroe, and St. Clair Counties. The scale of the alleged conspiracy suggests a significant and sustained effort to profit from the misery of others.
Both Howie and Leggans appeared in federal court on April 10, 2017, and were immediately ordered held without bond. A detention hearing was scheduled for April 13, 2017, to determine whether they will remain incarcerated pending trial. Prosecutors clearly view them as flight risks, or a danger to the community, given the severity of the charges.
An indictment is, of course, simply an accusation. Both men are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. However, if convicted, Howie and Leggans face a stiff penalty. The methamphetamine offense carries a maximum sentence of 5 to 40 years in federal prison, followed by four years of supervised release. They could also be hit with a hefty $5,000,000 fine, stripping them of any ill-gotten gains.
This investigation wasn’t a solo effort. Law enforcement from multiple agencies worked together to build the case. The Randolph County Sheriff’s Office, Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, St. Clair County Sheriff’s Office, Perry County, Missouri Sheriff’s Office, and the Drug Enforcement Administration all contributed to the probe. The Randolph County States Attorney’s Office and the Monroe County States Attorney’s Office also provided crucial assistance.
Grimy Times will continue to follow this case as it unfolds, bringing you the latest updates on this disturbing example of drug trafficking in the heartland. The brazenness of the alleged conspiracy and the multi-agency response underscore the ongoing battle against narcotics and the relentless pursuit of those who profit from addiction. This is just one piece of the larger puzzle of criminal activity plaguing our nation.
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Key Facts
- State: Illinois
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Drug Trafficking
- Source: Official Source ↗
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