BENTON, Ill. — A federal jury has found a man from Edwardsville guilty on two counts related to methamphetamine distribution in Franklin and Perry counties, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Illinois. The verdict came down on Wednesday for 59-year-old Kevin D. Stewart, who was convicted of conspiracy to distribute meth and possession with intent to distribute more than 50 grams of the substance.
The case also involved a co-defendant, Elizabeth J. Schwartzkopf, a 43-year-old resident of Pinckneyville, who had earlier pleaded guilty to similar charges in September. Schwartzkopf received a four-year prison sentence on the same day as Stewart’s verdict.
Details presented in court revealed that in March 2024, Illinois State Police stopped the vehicle driven by Schwartzkopf, with Stewart riding as a passenger. During the stop, officers discovered a significant cache in the vehicle, including 312 grams of methamphetamine, 924 grams of homemade THC gummies, and a scale presumably used for weighing drugs.
Stewart’s sentencing is set for 9:30 a.m. on September 16 at the federal courthouse in Benton. He faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison for the possession charge due to the quantity involved.
This case underscores ongoing efforts by law enforcement agencies to combat drug trafficking in the region. The guilty verdicts highlight the serious nature of drug crimes and the legal consequences that accompany them.
As the trial concludes, the community remains vigilant in its fight against substance abuse and illegal distribution networks that affect many lives.
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