Benedict Man Faces Drug Charges

John D. Downey, age 57, of Benedict, was arraigned in Jefferson County Court on Wednesday, October 2. Linda Bauer was the presiding judge.Downey is charged with possession of methamphetamine, a class 4 felony punishable by up to two years in prison, nine to 12 months of post-release supervision and a $10,000 fine, and possession of drug paraphernalia, an infraction that carries a $100 fine. Downey was arrested after the execution of a search warrant by Jefferson County deputies on August 22, 2024, at a residence in Faibury. Deputies made entrance at approximately 6:58 a.m. According to the arrest affidavit, “Numerous individuals were located both inside of the house and outside in the backyard. These individuals were placed into handcuffs, searched, and informed they were being detained.”Deputies reported locating items consistent with drug paraphernalia, as well as items with a white crystalline substance during an initial assessment of the living room. A plastic bag with residue of a white crystalline substance reportedly field tested positive for the presence of methamphetamine.The affidavit indicates that, in the basement, deputies located glass pipes and baggies with a white crystalline substance that also field tested positive for methamphetamine. Two other suspects were also arrested at the scene, Cynthia Rice, age 46, and Ronald M. John Jr., age 35, both of Fairbury.Because one of the charges is a felony, Downey is entitled to a preliminary hearing to determine if there is enough evidence that a felony was committed. His attorney, Tad Eickman, requested a preliminary hearing be scheduled. Judge Bauer set the hearing for November 6, 2024.The defendant remains free on a Personal Recognizance bond.

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