Despite the withdrawal of defense counsel, a federal court in Southern Illinois has confirmed an August 27 jury trial date for a 59-year-old Centralia woman indicted on seven counts distribution of drugs.

Anthonette “Big Mama” Strowder is facing a seven count superceding indictment alleging that from on our about January 2016 until on or about June 15, 2017 in Marion County and elsewhere Strowder conspired to distribute or possessed with the intent to distribute methamphetamine Ice and cocaine.

She was arrested last summer as part of an 8-month joint investigation conducted by the Marion County Sheriff’s Office and the Centralia Police Department that resulted in the arrests of more than 20 people in the Centralia area on drug distribution charges.

Strowder’s case was picked up by federal authorities and she quickly hired William Stiehl Jr. to represent her.

Stiehl ultimately filed a motion to withdraw from the case based upon a conflict. He has since been appointed to the bench as a Resident Circuit Judge in Illinois’ 20th Judicial Circuit.

That motion was granted and Strowder was advised to hire another attorney by August 10 or one would be appointed. The August 27 jury trial date was then confirmed.