Local stories
Grounded in truth.

Your support can help us nurture and protect fact-based, rigorously researched, public-service journalism. Your contribution (regardless of the amount) helps keep local grassroots journalism alive.

🍃 Give today
© 2025 St. Louis Public Radio
St. Louis Public Radio is a listener-supported service of the University of Missouri–St. Louis.
St. Louis Public Radio
All Things Considered
St. Louis Public Radio
All Things Considered
Next Up: 5:00 PM Code Switch and Life Kit
0:00
0:00
All Things Considered
St. Louis Public Radio
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Former St. Clair County Circuit Judge's Heroin Supplier Pleads Guilty In Federal Court

(Derik Holtmann/Belleville News-Democrat)
/
(http://www.bnd.com)

Federal prosecutors say a southwestern Illinois man who admitted to trafficking heroin supplied the narcotic almost daily to a former judge now facing drug and weapons charges.

Thirty-four-year-old Sean McGilvery of Belleville pleaded guilty to heroin conspiracy and possession Thursday in U.S. District Court in East St. Louis.
 Prosecutors say Michael Cook was a St. Clair County circuit judge when he got heroin from McGilvery "on an almost daily basis."

Cook is the central figure in a St. Clair County courthouse drug scandal. Authorities say he was with prosecutor-turned-judge Joe Christ at the Cook family's hunting cabin in March when Christ died of a cocaine overdose.

Federal prosecutors later charged Cook with unrelated heroin and gun charges. He has resigned from the bench, pleaded not guilty and awaits trial.
 

Send questions and comments about this story to feedback@stlpublicradio.org.

Support Local Journalism

St. Louis Public Radio is a non-profit, member-supported, public media organization. Help ensure this news service remains strong and accessible to all with your contribution today.