2 Mo. residents indicted on drug charges in Ill.

JONESBORO, Ill. -- A grand jury has indicted two East Prairie, Mo., residents on drug charges related to ephedrine or pseudoephedrine purchases they are accused of making, Union County State's Attorney Tyler Edmonds announced Monday.

Tamatha J. Gottschall and James R. Charles, both 37, were indicted on one count each of unlawful possession of methamphetamine precursors and unlawful participation in methamphetamine production, Edmonds said in a news release.

The pair are accused of purchasing products that contain ephedrine or pseudoephedrine 80 times during 2012 and 2013 for the purpose of making methamphetamine, the release said.

The charges stemmed from an investigation by the Union, Jackson and Johnson County, Ill., sheriff's departments, with assistance from the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the release said.

Gottschall and Charles both are being held at the Jackson County Jail in Murphysboro, Ill., in lieu of $100,000 bond, the release said.

Unlawful participation in methamphetamine production is a Class 1 felony punishable by four to 15 years in prison. Unlawful possession of methamphetamine precursors is a Class X felony punishable by six to 30 years in prison.

Pertinent address:

Anna, Ill.