Springfield, IL-(ENEWSPF)- Lewis D. Higgins, 54, of Ruma, Illinois, has been sentenced to 168 months in federal prison on a methamphetamine violation, U.S. Attorney Steven D. Weinhoeft announced Friday. Higgins previously pleaded guilty to a single-count indictment charging conspiracy to distribute more than 50 grams of methamphetamine. His sentence included a four-year term of supervised release and a fine of $200.
Evidence at the plea and sentencing hearings established that, between 2016 and June 2018, Higgins was involved with co-defendant David M. Bereitschaft and others in the distribution of methamphetamine in Perry and Randolph counties. The judge found that Higgins was responsible for the distribution of 7.5 kilograms of ice (methamphetamine with a purity level of at least 80 percent). Higgins also received an enhanced sentence based on his possession of firearms during the drug conspiracy.
Bereitschaft pleaded guilty to his role in the conspiracy earlier this year and is scheduled to be sentenced on August 13, 2019.
The investigation was conducted by the Randolph County Sheriff’s Office, the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, the Sparta Police Department, the Chester Police Department, the Tilden Police Department, the Marissa Police Department, the St. Clair County Sheriff’s Office Drug Tactical Unit, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the FBI. The Randolph County State’s Attorney’s Office also assisted in the investigation.