Two Federal Drug Arrests in Effingham County

Two Effingham County men have been arrested on Federal drug warrants.

State police arrested 52-year-old Anithalee Alex of Teutopolis on a warrant charging conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and distribution of methamphetamine.

Also arrested was 38-year-old Adam Watkins of Effingham on a warrant charging conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute meth and maintaining a meth house.

Effingham County Assistant State's Attorney Ralph Fowler, who handles many of the drug offense cases locally, said Alex and Watkins were taken to the Federal detention center in Benton. 

Acting US Attorney James Porter said by phone from Benton that Alex and Watkins are scheduled to appear at a detention hearing Monday morning at 10:00 in US District Court in Benton. Porter said Watkins is accused of maintaining a meth house at 700 South Willow in Effingham and that Alex, Watkins and a third co-defendant yet to be detained are charged with conspiring to distribute meth on multiple occasions.

Porter said the conspiracy counts carry a penalty of up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $1 million.