Five charged in $1 million Illinois gold and silver coin theft

EDWARDSVILLE — Five people were charged Monday in Madison County with theft of more than $1 million in gold and silver coins in Gillespie, and several face additional charges in Macoupin County.

Gillespie Police Chief Jared DePoppe said the case is still “very much under investigation.”

The investigation began after the Maryville Police Department conducted a traffic stop on Nov. 24, discovering five suspects and gold coins valued in excess of $1 million at the time.

Maryville Police Chief Tony Manley said an officer made a traffic stop for speeding southbound on Illinois 159, and noticed the “extreme nervousness” of the passengers, extending the stop and resulting in a search and the discovery of the coins.

As the coins were being inventoried, an expert was called in who pegged the value at just over $1 million.

“This case began with the vigilance of a Maryville police officer, who conducted a traffic stop in November,” Madison County State’s Attorney Tom Haine said. “The officer’s attentiveness resulted in the discovery of multiple gold and silver coins, valued at the time at more than $1 million.

A subsequent investigation by Maryville Police, Illinois State Police and assisting agencies resulted in these charges. The investigation is ongoing.

Additional investigations in Macoupin County and a search warrant served on one of the suspects uncovered more coins, according to Macoupin County State’s Attorney Jordan Garrison.

Amber N. Jones, 37, and Jason A. Keffer, 49, both of Gillespie; Thor S. Barnes, 45, of Benld; Derek J. Bultema, 40, of Mt. Olive, and William C. Cooper, 41, of Carlinville were all charged April 13 with theft, all Class 1 felonies, by the Madison County State’s Attorney’s Office.

In addition, Jones was charged with identity theft and possession of another’s credit, debit, or identification card, both Class 3 felonies.

In Macoupin County, Cooper was charged with two counts of theft, both Class X felonies; and burglary, a Class 2 felony.

Jones was charged with unlawful delivery of methamphetamine, a Class X felony; possession of methamphetamine and theft, both Class 1 felonies.

Keffer was charged with unlawful delivery of methamphetamine, a Class X felony; and theft, a Class 1 felony.

Barnes was charged with theft, a Class 2 felony.

According to Madison County court documents, on Nov. 24, the five took gold and silver coins valued in excess of $100,000 belonging to the city of Gillespie and the estate of a Gillespie man.

In addition, Jones was in possession of a stolen or unlawfully produced Social Security card belonging to another person and had three credit or debit cards belonging to a third victim.

The five were all ordered released from custody in Madison County.

Garrison said that Cooper was on pre-trial release on other charges and was wearing an ankle monitor at the time of the original theft. Police were able to track the monitor to a house belonging to a Gillespie man. A search of the house showed documents indicating large purchases of gold coins.

After the Maryville traffic stop, police obtained a search warrant for Cooper’s residence, where more coins were found.

The late owner of the house died on June 21, 2024, and the home was eventually deeded over to the city.

Manley noted that there may be issues determining the actual owner of the coins, but he was “glad the criminals didn’t get it.”