Six arrested in drug trafficking conspiracy, facing $10 million in fines, possible life in prison

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Five people were arrested during a Federal Bureau of Investigations investigation in cooperation with the Illinois State Police West Central Illinois Task Force on Friday, Feb. 21, and one was arrested on Thursday, Feb. 27. Each person is charged with conspiring to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine in the Quincy area and illegally using a communication facility. 

Marcus T.  Bush, 41, of Alton had an initial appearance before U.S. District Judge Colleen R. Lawless on Feb. 21. At a detention hearing on Tuesday, Feb. 25, Lawless ordered that Bush be detained pending trial. Bush remains in the custody of the U.S. Marshal Service. 

If convicted of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, Bush faces statutory penalties ranging from 15 years up to a life term of imprisonment, up to a $10 million fine and at least a 10-year term of supervised release. If convicted of illegal use of communication facility, Bush faces a maximum of four years’ imprisonment, not more than a $30,000 fine and up to a three-year term of supervised release.

Lasha B. Lewis, 40, of St. Louis and Aamina R. Dorsey, 36, of St. Louis had initial appearances before Lawless on Feb. 21. Lawless ordered at a detention hearing on Tuesday and ordered that both were released on bond.

Nicholas A. Strieker, 27, of Quincy, and Bruce L. Pinnick, 49, of Quincy, had initial appearances before Lawless on Feb. 21. Lawless ordered at a detention hearing Tuesday that both men should be detained pending trial. Both men remain in the custody of the U.S. Marshal Service.

Michael A. Bloodson, 42, of Chicago was arrested on Thursday and had an initial appearance before Lawless on Friday, Feb. 28. Lawless ordered Bloodson to be temporarily detained pending a detention hearing set for 1 p.m. March 6.

If convicted of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, these defendants face statutory penalties ranging from 10 years up to a life term of imprisonment, up to a $10 million fine and at least a five-year term of supervised release. If convicted of illegal use of communication facility, the five face a maximum of four years of imprisonment, not more than a $30,000 fine, and up to a three-year term of supervised release.

A federal grand jury previously returned indictments against each of the defendants on Feb. 4. The indictment said the six suspects had “knowingly and intentionally conspired” to distribute meth since March 1, 2024.

The indictment also noted three factors were relevant in determining the sentence of Bush, who had been convicted of aggravated battery in a 2006 felony case in Adams County and was sentenced to 12 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections. The factors were:

• The offense was a felony with a maximum term of imprisonment of 10 years or more.
• Bush served a period of imprisonment of more than 12 months.
• The defendant was released from imprisonment within 15 years of the offense alleged in grand jury indictment.

Unlawful use of a communications facility is a federal crime that is usually attached to federal drug crimes involving trafficking or selling drugs. Federal law says a “communication facility” refers to all mail, telephone, wire, radio and computer-based communications. Using a “communication facility” becomes a crime when it is used to commit a controlled substance violation under federal law.

Examples of this crime could include a defendant who texts another individual how much money it costs to buy drugs, a defendant who e-mails another person the location to buy drugs or a defendant who sends another individual drugs through the mail.

The Quincy Police Department and Adams County Sheriff’s Office provided assistance. Additional support was also provided by the Adams County State’s Attorney’s Office; the Drug Enforcement Administration’s St. Louis field office and Springfield residence office; the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Illinois; the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Missouri; the Alton Police Department; and the Chicago Heights Police Department. 

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah E. Seberger.

The case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) investigation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.