Search Warrant Leads to Multiple Drug Arrests

A search warrant executed in August of this year led to multiple arrests on drug charges.Two of those suspects appeared in Jefferson County Court on Wednesday, September 25, 2024. Linda Bauer was the presiding judge. The warrant was executed on August 22, 2024, at a residence in Fairbury.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.Arrested at the scene were Cynthia Rice, age 46, of Fairbury; Ronald M. John Jr., age 35, of Fairbury; and John D. Downey, age 57, of Benedict. Each defendant 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. They are also charged with possession of drug paraphernalia, an infraction that carries a $100 fine.Two other suspects, Blanche Cain, age 62, and Heather Castro, age 34, were issued citations but not arrested. Cynthia Rice and Ronald John Jr. were arraigned in county court on Wednesday. John D. Downey was scheduled to be arraigned that same day but his case was continued until October 2.

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