Pubdate: Sat, 24 Feb 2007 Source: Galesburg Register-Mail (IL) Copyright: 2007 Galesburg Register-Mail Contact: http://www.register-mail.com/news/letters/index.html Website: http://www.register-mail.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3864 Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine) BILL TAKES AIM AT METH 'PILL SHOPPERS' INCREASES PENALTIES FOR USE OF BOGUS ID SPRINGFIELD - State Sen. John Sullivan, D-Rushville, introduced legislation which will significantly bolster the punishment for buying over-the-counter ingredients for methamphetamine production with a fake or borrowed ID. The bill unanimously passed out of the Senate Judiciary Criminal Law Committee on Wednesday. Methamphetamine production is one of the biggest problems facing west-central Illinois police departments. "At a meeting with local law enforcement last fall, I was surprised to learn that criminals who use a fake ID to buy medicine containing ephedrine or pseudoephedrine are not charged under the criminal code," said Senator Sullivan. "With this legislation we send the message that if you misrepresent your identity to buy the ingredients to make meth, you face severe consequences." Under current law, criminals face a misdemeanor when using a fake ID to buy ingredients to make methamphetamine. The passage of Senate Bill 55 would increase this to a Class 4 felony - one to three years in prison/$25,000 fine - for first time offenders, a Class 3 felony - two to five years/$25,000 fine - for a second offense, and a third or subsequent offense would be a Class 2 felony, punishable by up to three to seven years in prison and a $25,000 fine. According to the bill, pharmacies and retail distributors, along with the employee(s), who violate this act will also face more strict penalties for first and repeat offenses. Sullivan said his legislation is directed at closing a loophole that allows "pill shoppers" using fake driver's licenses and other false identification to avoid the purchase limit quantity restrictions placed on medicines that contain chemicals used in the manufacture of methamphetamine. "This bill will provide another tool to help law enforcement in our continued efforts to fight against the illegal production of meth by creating stronger penalties for individuals using fraudulent identification to purchase pseudoephdrine," said Master Sgt. Bruce Liebe of the Illinois State Police who was in Springfield on Wednesday to testify in support of Sullivan's proposal. "We at the ISP are grateful that this bill would provide enhanced penalties for criminals trying to beat the system and purchase large quantities of meth precursors by using false identification." Liebe is the ISP's leading meth expert and has served as an expert witness in both state and federal court regarding methamphetamine production and distribution. The bill will now move to the full Senate for consideration. - --- MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman