Suspect in heroin ring plans to plead guilty Oct. 30

Eric Beckley of Centreville, suspect in the heroin ring that fed the habit of former St. Clair County judge Michael Cook, plans to plead guilty.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Stephen Williams posted notice on Oct. 22, that he would hear Beckley change his plea from not guilty at a hearing on Oct. 30.

District Judge David Herndon had set his trial for Nov. 4.

Federal agents arrested Beckley in January, after they watched heroin dealer Deborah Perkins stop at his home.

Agents seized heroin at his home and at Perkins’s home in Fairview Heights.

Grand jurors indicted Perkins, her son Douglas Oliver, and Beckley in February.

Agents arrested Sean McGilvery of Belleville and Cook in May, charging McGilvery with distribution of heroin and Cook with possession.

Prosecutors alleged that Oliver, Beckley and McGilvery distributed heroin under the direction of Perkins.

Perkins and Oliver pleaded guilty in August, and McGilvery pleaded guilty on Oct. 17.

They await sentencing.

Cook pleaded not guilty, but delayed his trial in order to negotiate with prosecutors. It is scheduled for Dec. 9 at federal court in East St. Louis before District Judge Joe Billy McDade from Peoria.