Cases Concluded in Several Jasper County Meth Investigations

The Illinois State Police/Southeastern Illinois Drug Task Force has announced the conviction and sentencing of several people to the Federal Bureau of Prisons who had been arrested on offenses related to methamphetamine manufacturing.

All of those whose cases have been concluded are from Jasper County, along with one Watson resident.

Here's the rundown:

Daniel E. Pickens, 32, of Wheeler--methamphetamine conspiracy--sentenced to 135 months 

Rachel E. Priest, 40, of Wheeler--methamphetamine conspiracy--sentenced to 87 months

Justin N. Pocrnich, 30, of Wheeler--possession of listed chemical knowing it would be used to manufacture a controlled substance--sentenced to 151 months

Joshua R. Rodgers, 24, of Newton--possession of listed chemical knowing it would be used to manufacture a controlled substance--sentenced to 87 months

Deborah S. Rogers, 49, of Wheeler--possession of listed chemical knowing it would be used to manufacture a controlled substance--sentenced to 57 months

Savannah L. Ellis, 22, of Newton--possession of listed chemical knowing it would be used to manufacture a controlled substance--sentenced to 108 months

Kimberly A. Barker, 34, of Watson--possession of listed chemical knowing it would be used to manufacture a controlled substance--sentenced to 24 months

The investigation leading to the arrests was conducted by the ISP/SEIDTF and the Effingham County Sheriff's Department in cooperation with the Jasper County Sheriff's Department and the Jasper County State's Attorney's Office. The Effingham SEIDTF office is comprised of officers from the Illinois State Police, Cumberland County Sheriff's Department, Clark County Sheriff's Department, Flora Police Department and the Fayette County Sheriff's Department. Tom Leggans, Assistant US Attorney of the Southern District, based in Benton, prosecuted the cases.