Springfield, Ill. - Rodger A. Heaton, U.S. Attorney for the Central District of Illinois, announced that a federal grand jury today charged a Springfield man with possessing more than 500 grams of cocaine and marijuana with intent to distribute and growing marijuana in Springfield, Illinois on December 5, 2007. James V. Cantrall, 33, of the 1100 block of North Columbia Avenue, was previously charged in a federal criminal complaint filed on January 23, 2008.

According to the affidavit filed in support of the criminal complaint, an officer with the Sangamon County Sheriff’s Department attempted to serve an outstanding arrest warrant at Cantrall’s residence on December 5, 2007. When the officer knocked on the front door of the residence, Cantrall came to the door. After speaking with Cantrall, the officer determined that the warrant had been recalled and was no longer valid; however, the officer had observed drugs and paraphernalia in plain view and smelled burning marijuana inside the residence. A subsequent search of the residence recovered marijuana, several marijuana plants, and cocaine.

Cantrall was arrested on January 23, 2008, and made his initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Byron Cudmore who determined probable cause and ordered Cantrall released on bond.

The charges are the result of an investigation by the Sangamon County Sheriff’s Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Patrick J. Chesley is prosecuting the case with the cooperation of the Sangamon County State’s Attorney’s Office.

If convicted, Cantrall faces a mandatory minimum five years in prison to 40 years imprisonment.

Members of the public are reminded that an indictment is merely an accusation; the defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.