Meth Arrests Increasing
Saturday, 25 June 2011 19:19 | 
Written by Webmaster | 
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Three people from McDonough County pleaded guilty this week to federal meth charges and police say more convictions and arrests are on the way.
Justin E. Cox, 27, of Industry, along with 34-year-old Billy J. Dewein and 29-year-old Crystal A. McDowell have pleaded guilty to conspiracy to manufacture methamphetamine. All three individuals were arrested by local law enforcement as part of Operation Saddle Up — a program aimed a large-scale sweeps to stomp out a recently growing meth problem.
Dewein and McDowell were arrested in April when Colchester police and McDonough County deputies raided a home at 304 Debbie St. In that incident, Dewein allegedly fought with officers, injuring one deputy, and fled the scene. He was found hiding in the residence of a third party, who wasn’t home at the time. Police seized 20 grams of meth in that investigation, along with materials used for a full working lab.
Cox was arrested on Sept. 16 when an anonymous tip led to the discovery of a “one pot” meth lab in room 125 of the Rodeway Inn, 1646 N. Lafayette St. Two small children, ages 1 and 3, were also found in the room, along with a pistol and spring-loaded knife. Also found in the room was 86.4 grams of methamphetamine, 3.8 grams of heroin, 2.5 grams of marijuana and digital scales with packing materials. It’s reported that the plea agreements document how the trio would coordinate pseudoephedrine pill buys under the radar of law enforcement.
Cox, Dewein and McDowell face between five and 40 years in prison when they’re sentenced in October.
McDonough County Deputy and Blandinsville Police Chief Justin Lundgren has been part of the federal court proceedings, which have resulted in 11 federal methamphetamine arrests in McDonough County alone. “About every two or three years, when we have a spike in meth-related cases where we see repeat offenders who are involved with weapons or involved with children and are endangering the public, it’s common that we look to the federal authorities and use some of their expertise,” Lundgren said. “It can create a huge impact.”
Lundgren said that Operation Saddle Up is a response to a recent spike in methamphetamine activity.“The U.S. District attorney’s office is very proactive in stomping out methamphetamine,” he said, adding that federal convictions result in stiffer sentences. “This has gone after the conspirators and we’ve been able to take out an entire network with the federal system,” Lundgren said.
Operation Saddle Up is ongoing and more arrests are expected.
Lundgren also said he expects more guilty pleas from those facing charges to occur soon.
Justin E. Cox, 27, of Industry, along with 34-year-old Billy J. Dewein and 29-year-old Crystal A. McDowell have pleaded guilty to conspiracy to manufacture methamphetamine. All three individuals were arrested by local law enforcement as part of Operation Saddle Up — a program aimed a large-scale sweeps to stomp out a recently growing meth problem.
Dewein and McDowell were arrested in April when Colchester police and McDonough County deputies raided a home at 304 Debbie St. In that incident, Dewein allegedly fought with officers, injuring one deputy, and fled the scene. He was found hiding in the residence of a third party, who wasn’t home at the time. Police seized 20 grams of meth in that investigation, along with materials used for a full working lab.
Cox was arrested on Sept. 16 when an anonymous tip led to the discovery of a “one pot” meth lab in room 125 of the Rodeway Inn, 1646 N. Lafayette St. Two small children, ages 1 and 3, were also found in the room, along with a pistol and spring-loaded knife. Also found in the room was 86.4 grams of methamphetamine, 3.8 grams of heroin, 2.5 grams of marijuana and digital scales with packing materials. It’s reported that the plea agreements document how the trio would coordinate pseudoephedrine pill buys under the radar of law enforcement.
Cox, Dewein and McDowell face between five and 40 years in prison when they’re sentenced in October.
McDonough County Deputy and Blandinsville Police Chief Justin Lundgren has been part of the federal court proceedings, which have resulted in 11 federal methamphetamine arrests in McDonough County alone. “About every two or three years, when we have a spike in meth-related cases where we see repeat offenders who are involved with weapons or involved with children and are endangering the public, it’s common that we look to the federal authorities and use some of their expertise,” Lundgren said. “It can create a huge impact.”
Lundgren said that Operation Saddle Up is a response to a recent spike in methamphetamine activity.“The U.S. District attorney’s office is very proactive in stomping out methamphetamine,” he said, adding that federal convictions result in stiffer sentences. “This has gone after the conspirators and we’ve been able to take out an entire network with the federal system,” Lundgren said.
Operation Saddle Up is ongoing and more arrests are expected.
Lundgren also said he expects more guilty pleas from those facing charges to occur soon.
