On Friday, 24-year old Russell A. Stokes of Benton, pled guilty to one-count of conspiracy to manufacture methamphetamine, according to the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, Stephen R. Wigginton. Evidence at the plea hearing established that between 2013 and January 2015, Stokes was involved with co-defendants Michael Boyt Junior, Jonathan Haslett, and others in the manufacture of methamphetamine. Stokes provided pseudoephedrine to multiple other persons to use to manufacture methamphetamine. The offense occurred in Perry, Randolph, Williamson, Jackson and Franklin Counties. Stokes is currently being held without bond pending a December 29, 2015, sentencing hearing. The methamphetamine offense carries a maximum penalty of up to 20 years of imprisonment, to be followed by 3 years’ supervised release, and a $1 million fine. The ongoing investigation is being conducted by the Randolph County Sheriff’s Office, the Coulterville Police Department, the Perry County Drug Task Force and Illinois State Police Methamphetamine Response Team among other agencies.