BY BRIAN L. HUCHEL
URBANA — A Danville man whose residence was targeted in an armed home invasion incident in January now faces criminal charges himself.
William Hible, 30, of the first block of South Buchanan Street, appeared Tuesday in U.S. District Court, to face three felony counts: conspiracy to distribute cocaine and crack cocaine, distribution of cocaine and distribution of 5 grams or more of crack cocaine.
The charges come as a result of an investigation headed up by the Vermilion Metropolitan Enforcement Group and the Drug Enforcement Administration.
A federal grand jury handed down a three-count indictment Friday against Hible, charging him with crimes dating back almost two years.
The indictment alleges Hible operated with others in a conspiracy between May 2008 and February 2010 to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine and five grams or more of crack cocaine. Hible is accused of obtaining kilogram quantities of cocaine from suppliers and then provided the drugs to others on a front basis with the expectation of future payment.
According to the indictment, Hible possessed firearms to protect himself, his cocaine and the cash proceeds from the cocaine sales.
Hible’s home was the target of a home invasion attack Jan. 13 when two men armed with guns forced their way into the home. One of the men was shot and four suspects total have been arrested and charged in connection with the incident.
Danville police said from the start that they did not believe it was a random attack, later confirming through court testimony that the men had entered Hible’s home looking for drugs and money.
If convicted on the federal charges, Hible faces a minimum of 10 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections.
Hible has felony convictions dating back to 1997 in Vermilion County. He has served two separate sentences in state prison since 2000 in connection with those cases.
