Beardstown Man Charged By Feds On Methamphetamine Charges

By Benjamin Cox on May 24, 2023 at 9:17am

Courtesy of Morgan County Sheriff's Department

A Beardstown man has been charged in federal court for being an alleged methamphetamine dealer in three counties.

41-year old Timothy A. Hacker of Beardstown was charged in federal court on May 9th for distribution of 50 grams or more of methamphetamine.

According to a complaint filed against Hacker, investigations into his activities began in February by members of the Illinois State Police Central Illinois Enforcement Group coordinating locally with members of the Schuyler, Cass, and Morgan County Sheriff’s Department and the Jacksonville Police Department.

According to the complaint, an informant identified Hacker as a methamphetamine dealer in Beardstown, Rushville, and Springfield.

Utilizing a confidential source and an undercover agent, officers conducted controlled three buys of methamphetamine between February 23rd and March 13th. The locations that were included in the buys were Hacker’s residence in the 100 block of East 9th Street in Beardstown, the Beardstown McDonalds on Plaza Street, and Home Depot in the 1600 block of West Morton Avenue in Jacksonville.

The complaint details that on April 11th, agents set up a fourth controlled buy with Hacker in an effort to take him into custody by organizing a meet up in Jacksonville. After utilizing the undercover agent’s cellphone, the Illinois State Police coordinated a traffic stop on Hacker’s vehicle in Jacksonville. Hacker attempted to flee officers, but was later taken into custody with assistance from State Police Helicopter observation. Upon his arrest, officers allegedly located 6 ounces of methamphetamine that Hacker allegedly attempted to hide in the private residence’s backyard.

Hacker was originally charged in Morgan County Circuit Court on May 12th with possession of methamphetamine and methamphetamine delivery of 100-400 grams. Both charges were dismissed in deference to the federal charges, according to Morgan County State’s Attorney Gray Noll.

Hacker is currently in custody of the U.S. Marshal’s service. He made his first appearance in court with counsel on Friday in front of US Magistrate Judge Karen McNaught.