Four Arrested Related to Meth

Four individuals have been arrested and charged in connection with a continuing and ongoing methamphetamine investigation in the region.

Effingham County State's Attorney Bryan Kibler said those arrested are 20-year-old Cody L. Laue of Beecher City, 18-year-old Tera L. Devoe of Shumway, 38-year-old Stacey M. Beccue of Altamont and 23-year-old Nathaniel S. Sparks of Beecher City.

Cody Laue and Tera Devoe are both charged with aggravated participation in methamphetamine manufacturing.  Both are charged with participating in the manufacture of more than 900 grams of a substance containing meth in the residence of a person more than 60 years of age who is incapable of adequately providing for his own health and personal care.  Laue and Devoe are also each charged with simple participation in methamphetamine manufacturing in an amount greater than 900 grams.  Both charges are Class X felony allegations, punishable by not less than 15 and not more than 60 years in prison.

Stacey Beccue and Nathaniel Sparks are charged with unlawful possession of methamphetamine in that each reportedly possessed less than five grams of a substance containing meth.  The possession count is a Class 3 felony, punishable by two to five years in prison although probation is an option.

The four individuals were arrested following the seizure of materials from a residence at 3803 East 2000th Avenue in rural Shumway.  Kibler said the arrests were a direct result of "diligent preliminary work and the execution of a search warrant by Effingham County Sheriff's deputies on Saturday."  For safety and for cleanup reasons, Kibler said the deputies were assisted by Illinois State Police troopers and the Illinois State Police Methamphetamine Response Team.

Kibler said, "This county's investigation of meth production has been ongoing.  This work by law enforcement is far-reaching in scope, and this work will continue."

In court Monday, Judge Kimberly Koester set bond for Laue and Devoe at $200,000 each, and set the bond for Beccue and Sparks at $25,000 each.  Devoe and Sparks are next due in court on April 15; Laue and Beccue on April 16.