Altamont Man Sentenced to Prison for Drug Offense

Altamont resident Ricky T. Garner has been sentenced to 41 months in federal prison for possession with intent to distribute Alpha-PVP.

Alpha-PVP is a prohibited controlled substance very similar to methamphetamine. It is chemically similar to meth and produces similar effects when ingested.

The 47-year-old Garner pleaded guilty to the charge in June. During the hearing, the Government presented evidence that Garner was arrested near Beecher City last October. At the time of his arrest, Illinois State Police troopers found 70 grams, about 2-1/2 ounces, of Alpha-PVP next to Garner in the truck he was driving.

Garner has been in custody since his arrest. Once he is released from prison, Garner will have to serve a term of three years on supervised release.

The investigation that resulted in Garner's arrest and conviction was conducted by an ILEAS SWAT Team based in Effingham, Illinois State Police, Altamont City Police, Homeland Security and US Marshals.