EDWARDSVILLE, IL – A graduate research assistant from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE) stands accused of running a methamphetamine lab in one of the campus’s science labs. 45-year-old Jeremy M. Smalling, a Belleview, Illinois resident, now faces four felony charges. These charges include the aggravated unlawful production of methamphetamine, unlawful intent to deliver methamphetamine, illegal possession of a meth precursor, and illegal possession of materials for meth manufacture.
The case originated with another campus professor who noticed unusual activity in the science building during the Thanksgiving holidays last year. Authorities were alerted, triggering the SIUE police to initiate an investigation. They discovered approximately 12 filtration devices within a container of diluted hydrochloric acid. These were found alongside chemicals identified as either involved in or produced by methamphetamine manufacture.
Additionally, Smalling stood out as the only individual other than the reporting professor to possess electronic access to the Science West Building during the holiday break.
A comprehensive examination of the National Precursor Log Exchange database by SIUE police showed that Smalling had attempted to purchase pseudoephedrine 365 times in the past decade, encountering 45 denials for exceeding legal purchase amounts.
Tracking Smalling’s activity also exposed his multiple shopping trips to several stores where he acquired numerous items frequently used in meth production. Furthermore, upon searching Smalling’s vehicle, investigators discovered approximately 12 grams of methamphetamine.
In response to the ongoing investigation, an SIUE spokesperson confirmed that Smalling, no longer enrolled at the university, has been denied campus access. Smalling, a previous winner of SIUE’s 2018 award for physical chemistry, is expected to make a court appearance on Friday.