CLINTON COUNTY — A 41-year-old Carlyle man has been sentenced to 31 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections after he pleaded guilty in Clinton County Court to trafficking of methamphetamine.

According to Clinton County State’s Attorney JD Brandmeyer, Lance Hellige pleaded guilty to traveling to the St. Louis area on February 25, 2023, where he purchased approximately 140 grams of meth and over 5 grams of fentanyl with the intent to sell and distribute those drugs.

Carlyle police then conducted a traffic stop on Hellige and the drugs were subsequently located in the vehicle and seized.

Then on Friday Hellige pleaded guilty to Class X felony trafficking of methamphetamine and Class 1 felony possession with the intent to deliver a controlled substance.

Judge Douglas Gruenke then sentenced Hellige to 31 years on the meth charge and a concurrent 10 years for the possession charge. Brandmeyer says Hellige will have to serve at least 75 percent of the 31-year sentence.