Meth dealer who became fugitive gets 30 years in prison | Crime

A man convicted earlier this year of selling meth in southeastern Illinois and southwest Indiana has been sentenced to 30 years in prison.

Donald Lee Weidenburner,54, of Louisville, formerly of Evansville, was convicted in March of conspiracy to manufacture and distribute more than 500 grams of methamphetamine, was also sentenced to 10 years of supervised release and fined $500. The offense occurred between August, 2000, and November, 2002, in White, Gallatin, and Saline Counties.

Evidence adduced at trial and sentencing established that Weidenburner was involved with others in the manufacture and distribution of approximately 7.6 kilograms of meth in southern Illinois and in Indiana.

In 2002, Weidenburner fled the area to avoid prosecution. Weidenburner remained a fugitive until November 29, 2010, when he was apprehended by the Western Kentucky Fugitive Task Force. Weidenburner received an enhanced sentence based on his possession of a firearm and his leadership position within the conspiracy. Sixteen co-defendants have previously been convicted and sentenced in this case.

This case was prosecuted as part of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) initiative. The investigation was conducted by the Southern Illinois Drug Task Force, Drug Enforcement Administration, Illinois State Police, West Frankfort (Illinois) Police Department, Spencer County (Indiana) Sheriff's Office, Vanderburgh County (Indiana) Sheriff's Office, Posey County (Indiana) Narcotics Unit, United States Secret Service, Western Kentucky Fugitive Task Force and United States Marshals Service.