HARDIN - The Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office would like to announce the arrest of additional suspects following an extensive ongoing drug investigation and execution of court-authorized search warrants.
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On August 25th 2025, the Calhoun County States Attorney’s Office issued felony arrest warrants for the following subjects:
Josie R. Prough, aged 25, of Carrollton, was charged with the following offenses:
- Unlawful Possession of Methamphetamine (Less than 5 Grams),
- Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.
Tyler M. Buckingham, aged 24, of Bethalto, was charged with the following offenses:
- Unlawful Possession of Methamphetamine (Less than 5 Grams),
- Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.
This investigation began in February 2025, the Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office with assistance from the West Central Illinois Drug Task Force initiated an extensive, and on-going investigation into illicit drug usage, sales and trafficking in and through Calhoun County, Illinois. This investigation has been led by Chief Deputy Zach Hardin.
As a result of this investigation, multiple search warrants have been executed at various locations in Calhoun County.
On March 6th 2025, the Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant at a residence in the 200 block of N. County Rd., Hardin, Calhoun County.
On July 8th 2025, the Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant at two separate residences in Hardin; one residence was located in the 200 block of N County Rd., and the other was located in the 300 block of N. Park St.
Suspected narcotics and drug paraphernalia were seized during these search warrants and submitted to the Illinois State Police Crime Lab for analysis.
The Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office was assisted in this investigation by Law Enforcement Officials from the Pike County Sheriff’s Office, West Central Illinois Drug Task Force, Illinois State Police and Illinois Conservation Police.
Additional arrests are pending and the investigation is on-going.
These charges, as well as the statements made herein, are based upon probable cause. The defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.
