Federal Charges for Fraud in Centralia; Drugs in Coles County

Federal criminal charges have been filed in Centralia for fraud and in Coles County for illegal drugs.

A federal grand jury for the Southern District of Illinois has returned an indictment charging 62-year-old Danny Vaughn of Centralia with 15 felony counts, including mail fraud, wire fraud and aggravated identity theft.

According to the indictment, Vaughn purchased computers, cell phones and gift cards from local retailers using credit cards associated with other people's accounts. The indictment includes 12 wire fraud charges for separate credit card transactions adding up to more than $20,000, all made over the course of four days in November 2018.

Vaughn is due in court on July 13. Each of the fraud charges is punishable by up to 20 years in prison.

An East Central Illinois woman made her initial appearance in federal court Thursday for alleged possession of more than 50 grams of methamphetamine with intent to distribute. 41-year-old Angela Faith Brown, whose last known address is Mansfield, was arrested this week in Ashmore in Coles County.

If convicted, the penalty for the offense is 10 years to life in prison. Brown is next due in court on Monday.