Two men arrested after search warrant closes suspected drug house in Herrin

FOX23 News at 9 p.m.

HERRIN, Ill., (KBSI) — The Williamson County Sheriff’s Office says a court-authorized search warrant executed Thursday night led to the shutdown of a suspected drug house and the arrest of two men linked to a county-wide crack cocaine distribution network.

Deputies served the warrant at about 9:28 p.m. on Nov. 20 at a residence in the 1500 block of East Stotlar Street in Herrin. According to the sheriff’s office, investigators recovered crack cocaine, digital scales, packaging materials, packaging waste, U.S. currency, ammunition and other items commonly associated with narcotics distribution.

Two suspects — Bruce E. Williams and Leon S. Johnson — were taken into custody and face multiple felony and misdemeanor charges.

Charges for Bruce E. Williams include:

• Criminal drug conspiracy (Class X felony)
• Delivery of controlled substances (Class 1 felony)
• Possession of drug paraphernalia (Class A misdemeanor)
• Possession of ammunition without a FOID card (Class A misdemeanor)

Charges for Leon S. Johnson include:

• Criminal drug conspiracy (Class X felony)
• Delivery of controlled substances (Class 1 felony)
• Possession of a controlled substance (Class 4 felony)
• Possession of ammunition by a felon (Class 4 felony)
• Possession of drug paraphernalia (Class A misdemeanor)

“Drug houses destroy neighborhoods, endanger families and fuel violence,” Sheriff Jeff Diederich said in a statement. “Our deputies will continue to take decisive action against those who profit from poisoning our communities.”

Both men were transported to the Williamson County Jail.

The sheriff’s office thanked the Energy Police Department and Williamson County State’s Attorney Ted Hampson for assisting with the investigation. Anyone with information may contact the sheriff’s office at 618-997-6541 or submit an anonymous tip through the Williamson County Sheriff’s App.