FBI Sting in Illinois Arrests Eight on Federal Meth Charges

In a coordinated two-week sting operation across southern Illinois, federal agents arrested eight individuals on charges related to methamphetamine distribution. The suspects were from Mount Vernon, Centralia, and Bluford. The charges include multiple counts of meth distribution and possession with intent to distribute, as well as other illicit drugs and weapons. Three additional individuals in Jefferson County were also charged on the state level, with one already sentenced to 12 years in prison.

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The operation was part of a broader effort to dismantle drug trafficking networks in rural communities. Alongside the arrests, law enforcement executed search warrants that led to the seizure of meth, heroin, fentanyl, cocaine, cannabis, firearms, and large amounts of cash.

This sting didn’t just target individuals; instead, it aimed to cut off parts of a drug supply chain that has long plagued Illinois and the broader Midwest. Meth use in the state is not new, but it’s growing. Past public health data shows that approximately 94,000 people in Illinois used meth in 2025. Meth lab busts had declined for a while due to tighter regulations on precursor chemicals. However, new methods of smuggling and production, which now involve Mexican drug cartels, have led to a resurgence.

Charged federally:

• Sarah L. Elverd (35, Centralia): 1 count of possession with intent to distribute 50+ grams of meth
• Alan D. Fleming (41, Mt. Vernon): 4 counts of distribution
• John A. Fowler (49, Mt. Vernon): 8 counts of distribution
• James B. Lockwood (43, Mt. Vernon): 4 counts of distribution
• Cedric R. Long (32, Bluford): 2 counts of distribution
• Christopher L. Webb (38, Mt. Vernon): 1 count of possession with intent to distribute
• Scott T. Miller (40, Centralia): 2 counts of distribution, 1 count possession with intent
• Damion D. Thrailkill (39, Mt. Vernon): 1 count of distribution

The operation also led to three state-level arrests in Jefferson County:

• Janay Branch (Mt. Vernon): Sentenced to 12 years after pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute
• Anthony Smith (Mt. Vernon): Facing a conspiracy to distribute charge
• Adrian E. Carruth Jr. (Mt. Vernon): Charged with meth delivery, cocaine possession, and conspiracy

Authorities also seized firearms, drugs (including heroin, fentanyl, and cocaine), cannabis, and cash.

Back in 2012, Illinois reported some of the highest meth lab seizure numbers in the country. While the labs themselves are less visible today, the problem has simply shifted form. Meth is now often trafficked in purer, more dangerous forms, and increasingly laced with fentanyl. This has contributed to a spike in overdose deaths nationwide. From under 1,000 deaths in 1999 to more than 52,000 in 2021, meth-related mortality has exploded.

READ MORE: Six Indicted on Federal Heroin, Fentanyl, and Cocaine Charges in Illinois

Operations like this FBI sting are part of a larger crackdown on drug networks feeding these trends and the cartels that keep them operational. These arrests mark a significant step forward in the ongoing battle against meth in Illinois and the broader Midwest. By targeting key movers and removing illicit substances and weapons, federal and local agencies aim to send a clear message: our rural communities will NOT be overlooked.