Detention hearing set for former 161st District Rep candidate, new high-powered lawyers hired

A detention hearing for former 161st District House of Representatives candidate Thomas Ross, who is charged with conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance will be held 1 p.m. Monday in U. S. District Court in Springfield.

The hearing, which was originally scheduled for September 9, was pushed back when Ross, who had been represented by a public defender at his own request, hired the high-powered Springfield firm of Wampler and Passanise to defend him.

Three attorneys from that firm, Joseph S. Passanise, James R. Hayes and Thomas D. Carver are representing Ross, according to court documents.

The probable cause affidavit claims Ross asked his campaign manager to plant cocaine on his primary opponent Louise Secker. Ross defeated Secker by 32 votes in August, but quit the race after charges were filed against him.

The Jasper County Republican Central Committee selected Secker as his replacement.

Probable cause: Thomas Ross asked campaign manager to plant cocaine on Louise Secker