Police arrest Monroe County man for growing Cannabis in Randolph County

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[RANDOLPH COUNTY - A combined effort by the Randolph County Sheriff's Office, Randolph County State's Attorney's Office, Steeleville Police Department, Chester Police Department, Monroe County Sheriff's Office and MEGSI has lead to the arrest of Matthew F. Koesterer , age 38 of Red Bud, Monroe County, Illinois.

In July, Randolph County Sheriff's Detectives located cannabis plants growing near Saint Patricks Road, Red Bud, Randolph County, Illinois. The cannabis plants ranged in height from 6 feet tall to 10 feet tall. The investigation of the cannabis grow lead Police to Matthew F. Koesterer as the suspect. An arrest warrant was issued for Koesterer for the Unlawful Production of more than 5 but less than 20 Cannabis Sativa Plants and the Unlawful manufacture of Cannabis , over 2000 grams but less than 5000 grams. Police seized 19 cannabis plants in Randolph County. Bond was set at $200,000. Randolph Sheriff's Office Detectives and Monrore County Sheriff's Deputies and MEGSI arrested Koesterer his residence in Red Bud, Monroe County, Illinois. A search warrant was executed at Koesterer's residence in Monroe County. Police located and seized eight cannabis plants, clothing, fertilizer and financial records in Monroe County. Koesterer was incarcerated at the Randolph County Jail and later posted $20,000 cash bond and was released.Sheriff Frederking states that is has been a good year for all crops this year including marijuana. Sheriff Fred Frederking states that this is the third arrest in three different investigations that his department has made this year for out of county residents growing marijuana in Randolph County. The Randolph County Sheriff's Office continues their efforts to combat the Illegal cultivation of Marijuana. Anyone with information about the Illegal Cultivation of Marijuana can contact Randolph County Sheriff's Detective Donnie Krull at (618) 826-5484 Ext.505.