AUTHORITIES ARREST 'PRIMARY TARGET' OF METH CRACKDOWN

Pekin Man Caught In A Joliet Motel By Federal Agents

PEKIN - A Pekin man described by authorities as a "primary target" in the
city's on-going battle with methamphetamine manufacturers was arrested
Saturday by federal agents in a Joliet motel.

Kenneth E. Palm, 30, whose last known address was 200 Sherwood St., was
arrested about 7 p.m. Saturday at the Joliet Inn, said Pekin Deputy Chief
Ted Miller.

The arrest came from teamwork between the Pekin Police Department and the
U.S. Marshal's Violent Fugitive Recovery Team, Miller said. Both agencies
are part of Tazewell County's joint task force established in January to
crack down on meth use in Pekin and the surrounding communities.

Miller said it was the first meth-related arrest made by the task force.

"(Palm) has been a primary focus for us," Miller said. "Because of his
historical manufacturing track record, he's the first one and certainly
will not be the last."

Miller said the U.S. marshals team was called after Palm ignored repeated
arrest warrants from Pekin police.

The latest arrest warrant was issued Friday after Palm was charged with
unlawful manufacture of a controlled substance, a felony punishable by six
to 30 years in prison.

Pekin police believe Palm was in charge of a meth lab in August of last
year at 1105 N. Second St.

Police found Palm's fingerprints on materials commonly used to make meth at
the Second Street residence, according to Tazewell County court records.

Palm also was arrested Oct. 18 and 23 for two other meth-related incidents.

On Oct. 18, Palm was arrested for possessing 4 grams of meth and
handwritten instructions on how to make the drug, court documents show.

On Oct. 23, police found a red phosphorous lab inside Palm's residence and
two loaded .38-caliber pistols.

Palm is being held in Tazewell County Jail on a cash bond.