Seven arrested as sheriff’s office shuts down suspected drug house in Williamson County

FOX23 News at 9 p.m.

WHITEASH, Ill., (KBSI) — Seven people were arrested and a suspected drug house was shut down following a search warrant executed by the Williamson County Sheriff’s Office, authorities said.

Deputies served a court-authorized search warrant at about 9:15 a.m. Jan. 29 at a residence in the 200 block of Sanders Avenue in Whiteash. The operation followed ongoing intelligence indicating illegal narcotics sales had resumed at the location after previous law enforcement action.

Sheriff’s officials said the residence has been linked to repeated drug activity over several years. Deputies previously executed a search warrant at the same location on June 12, 2024, which resulted in multiple drug- and weapons-related cases and the conviction of Joseph E. Wallace. Wallace was sentenced to three years in the Illinois Department of Corrections and later paroled after serving about six and a half months.

Following Wallace’s release, investigators said they became aware that drug sales had resumed at the residence. On Jan. 28, deputies intercepted illegal narcotics that had allegedly been purchased from the location, leading to the arrest of the buyer and further confirming continued criminal activity.

Deputies returned the following day to execute the search warrant, entering both a house trailer and a camper on the property. Three people were arrested at the scene, and deputies recovered methamphetamine, a controlled substance, ammunition and drug paraphernalia.

In a related operation, deputies conducted a traffic stop in Marion that resulted in the arrest of two additional individuals and the seizure of methamphetamine and a controlled substance.

Those arrested include:

• Joseph E. Wallace, charged with methamphetamine conspiracy, delivery of methamphetamine, possession of a weapon or ammunition by a felon, possession of a controlled substance, possession of ammunition without a FOID card, and possession of drug paraphernalia.
• Terri Ditterline, charged with possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia.
• Lance Baldwin, charged with possession of methamphetamine.
• Jerri Stritzel, charged with possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.
• Kierston C. Tolbert, charged with possession of drug paraphernalia.
• Scott D. Kizior, charged with possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia.
• Andrea L. Ray, charged with possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia.

The Illinois Department of Corrections has issued a warrant revoking Wallace’s parole, authorities said.

“This case highlights our continued commitment to holding repeat offenders accountable and shutting down locations that persist in trafficking illegal drugs into our communities,” Sheriff Jeff Diederich said in a statement.

All individuals were transported to and remain in custody at the Williamson County Jail pending further court proceedings.

Anyone with information related to this or other investigations is encouraged to contact the Williamson County Sheriff’s Office at 618-997-6541 or submit a tip through the Williamson County Sheriff’s App.