DOWNSTATE SHERIFF ARRESTS HIS SON
ON A CHARGE OF DISTRIBUTING DRUGS

CARMI, Ill. -- Sheriff Jerry O'Neal's latest arrest may have been his
toughest: O'Neal arrested his son, a White County jailer, on drug charges.

Greg O'Neal, 30, surrendered to his father Thursday afternoon at the
City-County Jail in Carmi on a felony charge of distributing
methamphetamine. Sheriff O'Neal fired his son on the spot.

Greg O'Neal posted $750 bail and is free pending a Jan. 13 court
appearance.

Carmi Police Chief Mike Thomas said O'Neal is accused of selling less
than five grams of methamphetamine to a police source at his home on
Nov. 12.

Thomas said there is no evidence Greg O'Neal was selling drugs at the
jail.