CHESTER – The Randolph County States Attorney, Jeremy Walker, has released his latest case updates.
People v. Patrick D.G. Bowen (2021-CF-222)
On January 14, 2022, Patrick D.G. Bowen, 26 of Steeleville, pled guilty to the offense of Battery before the Honorable Judge Gene Gross. Pursuant to the plea, Mr. Bowen was sentenced to probation. During the plea, Mr. Bowen admitted to pushing an individual in Red Bud on September 25, 2021. A felony charge of Reckless Discharge of a Firearm was dismissed to facilitate the plea.
“Mr. Bowen was alleged to have had an argument wherein he pushed someone, but then allegedly escalated things by shooting a handgun into the ground while in the city limits of Red Bud. While this was an act of stupidity, I did not feel it warranted the loss of Mr. Bowen’s firearm privileges for the rest of his life, which would have occurred with the felony. The officer whom investigated this case agreed with me. I only hope Patrick’s actions in the future don’t lead me to regret this decision,” offered Walker.
People v. Andrew J. Robinson (2021-CF-107)
On January 14, 2022, Andrew J. Robinson, 38 of Perryville, Mo., pled guilty to the offense of Possession of a Controlled Substance before the Honorable Judge Richard A. Brown. Pursuant to the plea, Mr. Robinson was placed on conditional discharge. During the plea, Mr. Robinson admitted to possessing less than 15 grams of a substance containing MDMA (ecstasy) located during a traffic stop in Chester on March 26, 2021.
“Mr. Robinson went to rehab following his arrest and is now actually employed as a counselor at the facility in St. Louis. While Andrew was carrying some priors from Missouri, I did not believe a sentence to IDOC was necessary. My thinking was based on the fact Andrew went to rehab, is working and lives out of the State. The last factor weighed especially heavy as I did not see the citizens of Illinois needing to pay to incarcerate Andrew, as we have plenty of our own citizens we need to address drug issues with,” commented Walker.
People v. William A. Dyer (2021-CF-96)
On January 20, 2022, William A. Dyer, 46 of Hillsboro, pled guilty to the offense of Theft Over $10,000 (but under $100,000) before Judge Brown. No agreement was reached as to the sentence and this matter has been set for a sentencing hearing on March 4, 2022. During the plea, Mr. Dyer admitted to taking a UTV from a local John Deere dealership near Steeleville on March 23, 2021.
“Mr. Dyer, along with an Adam Kemp, whom pled guilty last month and is also awaiting sentencing, are the second of three people charged in this incident to resolve their case. From our investigation it appears Mr. Dyer and Mr. Kemp were the ones whom actually took the UTVs and were the two whom were the ‘most involved’. We shall see what the Court feels is a fair and appropriate sentence on March 4,” stated Walker.
People v. William W. Freestone (2021-CF-283)
On January 20, 2022, William W. Freestone, 41 of Chester, pled guilty to the offense of Possession of Weapon by a Felon before Judge Brown. Pursuant to the plea, Mr. Freestone was sentenced to serve three (3) years in the Illinois Department of Corrections. A second case (2021-CF-150) was dismissed to facilitate the plea. During the plea, Mr. Freestone admitted to possessing a switchblade knife after having been convicted of a felony, located during a traffic stop in Chester on December 29, 2021.
“Mr. Freestone had a meth case pending (2021-CF-150), missed court in that case and when he was arrested on the warrant stemming from his miss court date, the officer found some meth and the switchblade knife. Mr. Freestone has not been to IDOC in the past and perhaps the time in corrections will make him realize he needs to get off the dope. If not, we will be here to try it again,” offered Walker.
People v. Lisa A. Mitchell (2022-CF-3 and 2021-CF-264)
On January 20, 2022, Lisa A. Mitchell, 40 of Fairview Heights, pled guilty to the offense of Forgery before Judge Brown. Pursuant to the plea, Ms. Mitchell was sentenced to serve four (4) years in the Illinois Department of Corrections. During the plea, Ms. Mitchell admitted to trying to pass a fake $20 bill in Steeleville on January 2, 2022. The State dismissed 2021-CF-264 to facilities the plea.
“Ms. Mitchell had some priors in St. Clair County. Additionally, the case we dismissed was another allegation of Ms. Mitchell passing fake $20 bills. With her prior history, including being on probation for theft in St. Clair County, I felt a sentence was necessary to demonstrate to Lisa, and the public, if you continue to be involved in dishonest behavior, there is a price to pay in Randolph County,” commented Walker.
People v. Antonio D. Kennedy (2021-CF-1120)
On January 21, 2022, Antonio D. Kennedy, 32 of St. Louis, was sentenced to eight (8) years in the Illinois Department of Corrections following a sentencing hearing before Judge Brown. Mr. Kennedy was previously found guilty of Armed Violence and Possession of Methamphetamine with Intent to Deliver by a Randolph County jury on December 20, 2021.
“Mr. Kennedy was looking at a mandatory 15 years in IDOC, which seemed a little much for having a gun and meth. I am not in any way condoning that behavior, but I only wanted four years in IDOC in the form of a plea. However, Mr. Kennedy refused the offer, which is his right. None the less, I just could not in good conscious send him to prison for 15 years. Therefore, I agreed to overturn the armed violence charge (possessing a gun in addition to possessing meth) and sentenced him to 8 years in prison for Possession of Methamphetamine with Intent to Deliver. I suspect Antonio will send his time in IDOC wishing he took the four years…boy I would, especially the last two years when I could have been breathing in fresh air if I had not been so stubborn,” concluded Walker.