August 7, 2010    Commercial-News

DANVILLE — A local woman faces allegations she laundered profits from local drug sales.

Cecilia Hayes, 27, of the 1200 block of Cleveland Street, faces a preliminary hearing later this month on three counts of money laundering as well as charges of possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver and possession of a weapon by a felon.

Steve Guess, director of the Vermilion Metropolitan Enforcement Group, said Hayes’ arrest was the result of what was originally a heroin investigation. A search warrant served at the address where she was living turned up no money, but a couple debit cards that VMEG officers then looked into.

According to Guess, it is believed Hayes was using the common debit cards to hide the profits from drug sales.

“It’s just less obvious than a bunch of cash sitting around,” Guess said.

VMEG received a warrant for the accounts and traced back a large amount of money to the debit cards. The money amount could not be released.

Vermilion County State’s Attorney Randy Brinegar said this is the first money laundering case he can remember being filed in the county.

“Anything she’d purchase, she’d use the card and minimize any public notice of her spending potential large amounts of cash,” Brinegar said.

Hayes, who has posted bond and was released, will appear in court for her hearing on Aug. 26. She also faces drug charges in a separate case filed this year.