By Jim Muir
A Franklin County Grand Jury has handed down indictments against four people who are accused of possessing and delivering illegal drugs from their Benton business.
Daniel Schmechel, 46, and Cindy Schmechel, 44, both of Mount Vernon, are owners of The Smoke Break, located at 601 West Main St. are both facing a 13-count indictment charging them with unlawful possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver.
Dorothy Williams, 62, of Valier, and Erin Williams, 30, of Mount Vernon are also accused of unlawfully delivering and possessing controlled substances or controlled substance analogs.
The indictments came as a result of a joint investigation between Benton, West City and state police, Southern Illinois Drug Task Force and the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office.
The alleged offenses took place within 1,000 feet of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, making the charges each a Class 2 felony.
Law enforcement officers from Illinois State Police, Benton Police Department, West City Police Department and the Franklin County Sheriff’s Department converged on The Smoke Break last week armed with a search warrant. The search warrant was obtained based on information conducted by state police and the Benton Police Department.
The Smoke Break has been the scene of police raids in the past. Last year law enforcement officers searched the business as part of an investigation centered around allegations into the alleged delivery of a controlled substance analog or synthetic drug. Bath salts, spice and incense are oftentimes sold as a synthetic drug, which is illegal in the state of Illinois.
Sales of the drugs are illegal in the state.
The Schmechels each posted $15,000 bond and have a first court appearance set for Sept. 3 at 1:30 p.m. at the Franklin County Courthouse.
Dorothy Williams and Erin Williams each posted a $2,000 cash bond. Dorothy Williams is also set for a first appearance at 1:30 p.m. Sept. 3, and Erin Williams will appear Aug. 27 at 1:30 p.m.
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