MAN IS CHARGED WITH USING ANOTHER’S URINE

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MAN IS CHARGED WITH USING ANOTHER'S URINE IN DRUG TEST


A Wood River man who authorities said tried to use another person's urine for a drug test was charged Tuesday under a new law aimed at preventing drug-testing fraud.


Christopher L. Mains, 21, of the 900 block of Acton Avenue, was charged by the Madison County state's attorney's office with defrauding a drug and alcohol screening test, a felony. It was the first time the state's attorney's office applied the new law.


Authorities said Mains tried to pass off another person's urine as his own when he reported to his Madison County probation officer on Dec.


8.


According to court records, Mains was serving probation after being convicted of burglary last year and pleading guilty to weapons possession charges in February. Mains was required to have regular drug screenings.


The new statute, which was signed into law this summer, was designed to deter would-be drug users from straying from the conditions of probation.


"It's important to make probationers aware that it is not only unacceptable to attempt to defraud their probation officer, but it's also now against the law thanks to this new legislation," State's Attorney William A. Mudge said Tuesday.


Typically, when a person violates probation, a judge will either extend the probation period or impose jail time.


Under the new charge, Mains faces up to three years in jail.


Bail for Mains was set at $30,000; he was not in custody Tuesday.