Cape Girardeau man and 10 others charged in Southern Illinois drug trafficking ring

BENTON, Ill. (KBSI) -11 people face charges for trafficking meth in several counties.

According to the United States Attorney’s Office an investigation involving the DEA, Carbondale Police Department, ATF, U.S. Marshal Service and Illinois State Police led to the arrest of 11 people facing federal charges for distributing meth in Jackson, Massac, Perry, Saline and Williamson counties.

Those facing charges are listed:

Nigelle J. Bird, 32, of Cape Girardeau, Missouri, was charged with one federal count of distribution of meth in Jackson County.

Nathan Behrens, 35, of Harrisburg, was charged with one federal count of distribution of meth in Williamson County.

Darvon D. Ellis, 36, of Harrisburg, is facing two counts of distribution of meth in Saline and Williamson counties.

Jeffrey T. Dancy, 41, of Sparta, was charged with two counts of distribution of meth in Perry County.

Blake Mann, 36, of Carrier Mills, was charged with two federal counts of distribution of meth in Saline County.

Desmond Nelson, 44, and Chanel Nelson, 47, of Carrier Mills, are each facing three federal counts of distribution of meth in Saline County.

Tony L. Goss Jr., 36, of Brookport, Kelsey M. Hesser, 27, of Smithland, Kentucky, and Autumn J. Lynn, 40 of Golconda, are facing one federal count of conspiracy to distribute meth in Massac County.

Tony L. Goss Jr. was charged with four additional counts of distribution of meth, Autumn J. Lynn was charged with two additional counts, and Kelsey M. Hesser with one additional count.

Joe J. Taylor, 32, of Brookport, is facing two charges of distribution of meth in Massac County and one count of felon in possession of a firearm.

“The charged offenders are accused of distributing meth mainly across five rural counties in southern Illinois,” said U.S. Attorney Rachelle Aud Crowe. “DEA agents and our local law enforcement partners are dedicating resources to help ensure illegal drug distribution operations continue to be identified and disrupted.”