Monday, August 19, 2019

Anderson man waives reading of indictment, pleads not guilty to meth trafficking charge

An Anderson man waived the reading of his indictment and pleaded not guilty today in U. S. District Court in Springfield to meth trafficking.

The trial of William S. Divine, 42, is scheduled on the October 28 court docket.

The federal indictment alleges Divine was in possession of 500 grams or more of methamphetamine with the intent to distribute on June 5.

According to the probable cause affidavit, Anderson police officers saw a woman known to have outstanding warrants leaving the Econo Lodge, 491 E. Highway 76 and attempted to stop her vehicle.

The woman, who is not identified, attempted to flee and hit a police car. Her car was disabled and she fled on foot with officers in pursuit. The woman eluded officers, who saw her drop a clear plastic bag containing approximately one-half ounce of methamphetamine.








Econo Lodge surveillance video showed the woman entering Divine's room, the affidavit says. 

Officers searched the room and found a backpack that contained eight bags with 1,360 grams of methamphetamine. 

According to the affidavit, the backpack contained a loaded Taurus .45-caliber handgun and documents with Divine’s name on them. Surveillance video from the Econo Lodge showed Divine carrying the backpack into the room.




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