A 9:15 a.m. Wednesday, September 9, preliminary hearing and detention hearing will be held in U. S. District Court in Springfield for former 161st District state representative candidate Thomas Ross, who is charged with conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance.
The U. S. Attorney's office filed a motion Thursday to have Ross held without bond while awaiting trial noting that he is charged with a crime that could land him in prison for more than 10 years.
Court records indicate Ross is being represented by federal public defender.