EAST ST. LOUIS — A Centralia man pleaded guilty Thursday to federal drug and gun related charges.

U.S. Attorney for Illinois’ Southern District Steven D. Weinhoft said in a press release that 48-year-old David Herron pleaded guilty to charges of conspiracy to distribute and possess meth and heroin, possession with intent to distribute meth, and unlawful possession of a firearm. The conspiracy took place from March of 2018 to April of this year.

Court documents revealed that an FBI Task Force investigated Herron’s narcotics trafficking activities in the Centralia area for several months leading up to his arrest in April 2019. During that time, Herron was out on bond in two separate pending drug-related cases in Marion County. Herron was distributing methamphetamine and heroin from 2 locations in Centralia: a residence and a mobile home.

At the time of his arrest, Herron was in possession of methamphetamine and heroin packaged for sale as he left his residence on Hardin Street in Centralia. A search of his residence revealed over 200 grams of 98% pure methamphetamine and a loaded firearm. As a convicted felon, Herron is prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition.

The conspiracy and drug charges each carry a penalty of 10 years to life imprisonment and not less than 5 years of supervised release. The firearm charge carries a penalty of up to 10 years’ imprisonment and 3 years’ supervised release. Federal inmates typically serve 85% of their prison term. Supervised release follows completion of imprisonment. Sentencing is scheduled for December 19, 2019 at the federal courthouse in East St. Louis. Herron has been detained in the federal system since his April arrest.