Illinois sheriff convicted of drug trafficking

BENTON, Ill. -- An Illinois sheriff was convicted of trafficking marijuana and plotting to kill two people who planned to testify against him -- finally giving county officials an opening to fire him from a job he steadfastly refused to leave.

Gallatin County Sheriff Raymond Martin was convicted Thursday on 15 counts related to the drug trafficking and murder-for-hire scheme. Ten of the 15 counts carry possible life sentences, and Martin could be fined up to $3.5 million.

Despite his May 2009 arrest and allegations of criminal wrongdoing from jail, the longtime sheriff refused to leave office and continued to receive his $40,400 annual salary.

County board chairman Randy Drone said that Martin's conviction would finally allow the five-member board to get rid of him and the area to move on.

According to a Drug Enforcement Administration agent, Martin supplied a drug dealer and then threatened to kill him when the man said he wanted out, saying making him disappear would be easy.

Martin's sentencing date has not been set.

Federal jurors in Benton are to reconvene Monday to consider the federal government's move to seize Martin's house, the handguns prosecutors say he carried while trafficking marijuana on the job and more than $100,000 that investigators say they found in a safe in his home.