SALINE/HAMILTON COs.— A spectacular coordination between state and federal agents netted authorities what seems to be a major drug operation in the making, although the agents credited with making the bust aren’t willing to admit as much, quite possibly because they believe the case goes much farther than a stolen trailer with some stuff inside.
On May 5 Federal Bureau of Investigations Agent Jeff Hands contacted Illinois State Police Sgt. Gwen Basinger for assistance in the recovery of a red Action Pest Control Cargo Trailer containing hazardous chemicals.
A few of the items listed that were believed to be in the trailer included gas masks, air tanks, fans and ladders stolen from Evansville, Ind.
Authorities are remaining tight-lipped about the reason for the intensity of interest in the trailer as the FBI don’t usually handle stolen vehicle/trailer crimes.
Be that as it may, Agent Hands informed local drug task force agents that he had received information from a confidential source that Brett A. Stinson, 45, of Broughton, was in possession of the trailer.
Agent Hands and drug task force agents including Jayson Murbarger, David Blazier and Kaitlin Wilson conducted surveillance, which led to the arrest of Stinson and Jennifer L. Manning, 30, McLeansboro.
During the investigation, agents determined that there were other items that were stolen along with the trailer; all were located inside a barn at the Stinson residence.
The agents were granted a search warrant at Stinson’s residence as well as a white pole barn located on the property.
Agents were then successful in recovering the hazardous materials and contents from the stolen cargo trailer inside the barn.
At the time of her arrest, Manning was informed she was being taken into custody, which prompted her to ask, “for the trailer?”
The confidential source in the case said that Manning was present at the time the trailer was being unloaded and when the equipment from the trailer was being placed in the back of the truck she was in when authorities surrounded the vehicle and arrested her and Stinson.
The source also claims that Manning was present when discussions were had about the price they could get for the trailer as well as other trailers and stolen merchandise in her and Stinson’s possession.
With federal agents involved, the public may never know the reality of why it was so vital for the FBI to become involved.
One hint could be that they called in local drug task force agents and believed a major drug operation was involved in the theft of the trailer and contents.
Or it may just be that someone special was interested in the trailer being stolen and taken across state lines.
Both Stinson and Manning were charged with Theft $10,000-$100,000.
Stinson was released from Saline County custody May 7 after a $2,500 cash bond was posted on his behalf by Tom Irvin, of McLeansboro.
Meanwhile the divorced, mother-of-two Manning, on the other hand remained behind bars telling authorities that she may be able to depend on family and friends to bond her sorry arse out of jail.
Stinson’s freedom was short-lived, however, as he was arrested in Hamilton County May 13 and charged with Theft.
The formal charges in Hamilton allege that on May 5 he thieved a list of items from Action Pest Control including one each blue electric extension cord, red electric extension cord, Cosco folding ladder, an Action blue ladder, a HDX black fan with orange tubing, an HDX black fan with purple tubing, a tank scale, a white bottle of Choropic chemical and one white cylinder all valued in excess of $500.
Stinson also has a pending case from June 2, 2013 in which he is charged with Unlawful Possession of Methamphetamine, Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and Unlawful Methamphetamine Manufacture Near a Place of Worship.
What the accused meth cook might do with the Action Pest items he is accused of filching may not be difficult to figure out.
It doesn’t look like Stinson will be seeing the light of day any time soon as the case bond in his Hamilton County case has been set at $10,000.