MARION – Five people have been arrested and face multiple drug charges in Williamson County

The Williamson County Sheriff’s Office says around 1:45 Friday afternoon, deputies operating on narcotics intelligence conducted undercover operations resulting in the arrest of five suspects. 

The information, the result of a months’ long investigation revealed that Antoine D.  Winston of Matteson, Illinois was traveling from the Chicago area to Williamson County and transporting large amounts of cocaine and crack cocaine.

Deputies saw Winston offload the Amtrak train in Carbondale, enter a vehicle, and later enter Williamson County.  

A traffic stop was conducted and a K9 alerted to the vehicle. A probable cause search of the vehicle located approximately two ounces of cannabis, one of which the driver was receiving as payment for driving Winston.

While deputies attempted to take Winston into custody, he began resisting and attempted to flee into nearby woods. During the foot pursuit, deputies successfully deployed a Taser and Winston was taken into custody without further incident. 

Winston was found to be in possession of a large amount of crack cocaine concealed on his person. 

Winston was cited for Delivery of Controlled Substance – Cocaine (A Class 1 Felony), Possession of Controlled Substance – Cocaine (A Class 4 Felony), Delivery of Cannabis 30<100 (A Class 3 Felony), Possession of Cannabis (A Class 4 Felony), Obstructing Justice, (A Class 4 Felony), and Resisting a Peace Officer (A Class A Misdemeanor).

Winston is the subject of a previous arrest stemming from a March 3, 2024, investigation which resulted in a search warrant being executed in the 900 block of Glenn Avenue in Carterville.  He was arrested for Delivery of Controlled Substance related to the recovery of crack cocaine.  

As part of this ongoing investigation, deputies executed a search warrant at a home known to be associated with this illicit drug activity located at 307 South Johnson Street in Colp. 

A search of the home located crack cocaine, paraphernalia, digital scales, cutting material, packaging material, and the elements used to cook powder cocaine into crack cocaine. 

The following suspects located in the home were cited.  

Teran E. Jones – Delivery of Controlled Substance – Cocaine (A Class 1 Felony), Possession of Controlled Substance – Cocaine (A Class 4 Felony), Possession of Drug Paraphernalia (A Class A Misdemeanor)

Don E. Taylor – Possession of Controlled Substance – Cocaine (A Class 4 Felony) and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia (A Class A Misdemeanor) 

Deborah A. Okeson – Possession of Controlled Substance – Cocaine (A Class 4 Felony) and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia (A Class A Misdemeanor)

Eric R. Gottberg – Possession of Controlled Substance – Cocaine (A Class 4 Felony) and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia (A Class A Misdemeanor) 

Jones is the subject of a previous arrest stemming from an April 5, 2024, investigation which resulted in a search warrant being executed in the 300 block of Johnson Street in Colp. He was arrested for Delivery of Controlled Substance related to the recovery of crack cocaine.

Winston, Jones, Taylor, Okeson, and Gottberg were transported to and remanded into the custody of the Williamson County Jail.