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Man makes first appearance on meth charges

By Bethany Krajelis, The Southern

Wednesday, July 18, 2007 7:27 AM CDT

BENTON - A Percy man who initiated a seven-hour standoff with police Sunday night made his first appearance in federal court this week on a methamphetamine conspiracy charge and is set to face a September trial.

When police tried to execute the federal arrest warrant, Shawn D. Taylor, 35, refused to exit his residence or let his girlfriend and son leave.

Taylor was wanted on a federal warrant for conspiracy to manufacture, distribute and possess 50 or more grams of methamphetamine with the intent to deliver. Last week, five other Southern Illinoisans were indicted by a federal grand jury for their alleged involvement in the conspiracy.

Taylor made his first appearance Monday in Benton's federal court and is scheduled to return for a detention hearing Thursday, said Amanda Robertson, assistant United States Attorney. A September trial date also was set, she added.

According to the Jackson County Sheriff's Office, deputies from Jackson, Perry and Randolph counties attempted to execute the arrest warrant for Taylor at 7 p.m. Sunday at his Pine Street residence in Percy.

When deputies arrived, police said Taylor refused to leave and wouldn't let his girlfriend and their 9-year-old son exit the residence either. The Illinois State Police Tactical Unit was called for assistance and after several hours, Taylor's girlfriend and son evacuated the home.

Taylor, however, did not surrender until 2 a.m. Monday.

Police said no one was injured during Sunday's seven-hour standoff.

Taylor's federal arrest warrant stemmed from an ongoing investigation conducted by Jackson County Project Safe Neighborhoods. Robertson said Project Safe Neighborhoods is a federal initiative comprising federal, local and state law enforcement agencies and prosecutors. She said the goal is to remove illegal guns and drugs from local communities.

Robertson, who was assigned to prosecute the case, said the methamphetamine charge is alleged to have occurred between October 2005 and May 14, 2007, in Jackson, Williamson and Perry counties.

Taylor is one of several co-defendants in the case, Robertson added. Michael C. Snearly, 38, James A. Schott, 40, and Nicholas A. Walker, 27, all of Murphysboro, Robert N. Thies, 30, of Ava and Sharon K. McComb, 22, of Campbell Hill were indicted by a federal grand jury last week on the charge of conspiring to manufacture 50 grams of more of methamphetamine.

Robertson said one co-defendant, who is not listed above, has already pleaded guilty to his role in the conspiracy charge.

If found guilty, Taylor and each of the co-defendants could face between five and 40 years in prison, a fine up to $2 million and a four-year term of supervised release.

bethany.krajelis@thesouthern.com

529-5454 ext. 5138