WSIL-TV 3 ABC

Top Stories

Last updated 5:08 am CT February 09, 2010.

E-mail Story Print Story

Police Bust Burglary Ring

UNION COUNTY-- Two years of investigative work came to a head Tuesday morning as federal, state and local authorities arrested 15 people in connection with area burglaries and stolen firearms. Law enforcement officials say those arrested face more than 100 felony charges including possession and sale of stolen firearms, money laundering and production of cannabis. What follows is a list of compiled charges provided by the Union County State's Attorney:
39 counts of burglary
23 counts of theft
23 counts of possession of stolen firearms
8 counts of obstructing justice
5 counts of money laundering
4 counts of possession of a stolen firearm
2 counts of production of cannabis


The state's attorney says, some of those charges will be filed individually, but indictments suggest several of the individuals were working together. In total, 15 individuals were arrested; They are:
Brandon Griffin of Dongola
Nathan Roland of Jonesboro
Wesley Conkle of Dongola
Austin Richardson of Dongola
John Evans of Gorham
Polly Quintana of Dongola
Johnny Smith of Jonesboro
Thomas Nelson of Vienna
Joshua Hathy of Jonesboro
Fawn Eddleman of Anna
Marsha Farthing of Dongola
Damian Kerr of Anna
Kaleb Brown of Cobden
(Only 13 names are listed- two individuals are juveniles)

Court documents state the stolen merchandise was taken from homes, local businesses and churches. ATF officials say the cases are still under investigation and will take time determining where the suspects will be prosecuted...

"What we're doing is reviewing the cases," explained ATF official Larry Washington. "Giving the information to both attorney's offices to see if it warrants prosecution either on the state level or the federal level."

ATF officials say the arrests were a joint effort between Alexander, Pulaski and Union Counties, along with the Illinois State Police and the ATF. Officials say its part of an initiative called FASTEN: the Federal and State Trafficking Enforcement Network. Authorities say, the investigations are ongoing and will cross state lines if necessary. Federal and state investigations being conducted in Southern Illinois have established ties of illicit firearms trafficking between the following states: Illinois, Kentucky, Indiana, Tennessee and Missouri. The FESTEN initiative will focus on the lower 38-counties in Southern Illinois.

The current FASTEN initiative also solved 7 local church burglaries.

Those arrested are currently being held at the Tri-County Detention Center in Ullin. They are being held on bonds ranging from $25,000 to $340,000.

By: Rachel Gartner
rgartner@wsiltv.com

<< Back to Previous Page