CHESTER – Randolph County State’s Attorney Jeremy Walker has released his latest case updates.
People v. Shannon A. Mahan (2021-CF-248)
On January 24, 2022, Shannon A. Mahan, 37 of Sparta, pled guilty to the offense of Possession of Methamphetamine before the Honorable Judge Richard A. Brown. Pursuant to the plea, Ms. Mahan was sentenced to first offender probation. During the plea, Ms. Mahan admitted to possessing less than five (5) grams of methamphetamine located during a traffic stop in Sparta on October 26, 2021. “Meth, meth and more meth. It consumes a lot of what we do right now in our system. I hope Shannon takes her treatment and probation seriously. If she does, she will avoid more onerous penalties we can impose when one does not comply with probation and/or reoffend,” stated Walker.
People v. Pastor J. Carmona (2021-CF-245)
On January 24, 2022, Pastor J. Carmona, 34 of Murphysboro, pled guilty to the offense of Possession of Methamphetamine before Judge Brown. Pursuant to the plea, Mr. Carmona was sentenced to first offender probation. During the plea, Mr. Carmona admitted to possessing less than five (5) grams of methamphetamine located during a traffic stop in Chester on October 29, 2021. “Mr. Carmona has been given his chance to pull himself out of the proverbial gutter. Let’s all root that he does,” offered Walker.
People v. Lewis P. Price (2021-CF-20)
On January 24, 2022, Lewis P. Price, 58 of Sparta, was sentenced to five (5) years in the Illinois Department of Corrections following a sentencing hearing before Judge Brown. Mr. Price was sentenced for the offense of Delivery of Methamphetamine occurring in Sparta on July 27, 2020. During the sentencing hearing, the State requested the five-year term in IDOC, while the Defendant requested a term of probation. “Mr. Price made the decision to sell meth in this county and I am pleased to see he paid the price of going to prison for it. I truly don’t enjoy seeing people going to prison, but there is a level of satisfaction in seeing meth dealers go to prison. I have said it before and will say it as long as I am in a position to say it…if you sell meth in this county and get caught, you are going to prison,” commented Walker.
People v. Jeffrey C. Moore (2021-CF-121)
On January 24, 2022, Jeffrey C. Moore, 23 of Sparta, pled was sentenced to serve three (3) years in the IDOC following a sentencing hearing before the Honorable Judge Gene Gross. Mr. Moore was facing sentencing for the offense of Possession of Methamphetamine occurring in Sparta on April 30, 2021. During the sentencing hearing, both parties recommended the IDOC sentence of three years. “Jeff just could not get clean. Jeff had several meth cases in the last year and was on probation when he caught with this new offense. After he plead guilty, and before sentencing, no information was provided he had tried to get back in rehab or take any effort to resolve his addiction. Jeff now will have no choice but to get sober, how long he chooses that after his release, will be up to him,” stated Walker.
People v. Kavon M. Crockett (2021-CF-184)
On January 24, 2022, Kavon M. Crockett, 24 of Sparta, was sentenced to service 20 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections following a sentencing hearing before Judge Brown. Mr. Crockett was facing sentencing for the offense of Predatory Criminal Sexual Assault occurring in Sparta during the month of July, 2021. During the sentencing hearing, the State requested a term of 22.5 years in IDOC, while the Defendant requested a lesser sentence, but no specific recommendation. “This is by far one of the more tragic cases I have ever been involved in. Evidence at the sentencing hearing showed the young female victim was infected with gonorrhea in three areas of her body from the actions of the Defendant. Despite this, the mother of the victim was not cooperative with us. I am not sure which of those two things is more tragic. None the less, Mr. Crockett with spend the next 17 plus years of his life in prison. As I have stated before, we walk a delicate balance in these cases to push for a robust sentence, but try to avoid the young victim from having to relive what happened to them on the stand. That was paramount in this case as we had very little cooperation from the family of the victim. While I understand the sentiment of locking someone up forever, it is actuality quite difficult to do, especially when you are getting no cooperation from those whom should be pushing for that the most,” explained Walker.
People v. Jared M. Davis (2022-CF-6)
On February 2, 2022, Jared M. Davis, 31 of Percy, pled guilty to the offense of Domestic Battery before Judge Gross. Pursuant to the plea, Mr. Davis was convicted of the offense and sentenced to time served in the Randolph County Jail. During the plea, Mr. Davis admitted to pushing and placing his hands on the neck of his significant other in Percy on January 7, 2022. The charge was amended from a felony to a misdemeanor to facilitate the plea. “The victim was not cooperative at all in this matter and despite Jared’s priors, I thought it was better to obtain a conviction than to try to hang on for a more serious outcome. Under that scenario I lose the case based on the lack of cooperation from the young lady involved,” commented Walker.
People v. Angela C. Presswood (2020-CF-270)
On February 2, 2022, Angela C. Presswood, 47 of Murphysboro, pled guilty to the offense of Possession of Methamphetamine before Judge Gross. Pursuant to the plea, Ms. Presswood was sentenced to first offender probation. During the plea, Ms. Presswood admitted to possessing less than five (5) grams of methamphetamine located during a search of a residence in Coulterville on September 8, 2020. “I am hopeful Angela is successful in her efforts to get sober and healthy. We all benefit if she does,” offered Walker.
People v. Roger L. Compton (2021-CF-233 and 2021-CF-280)
On February 2, 2022, Roger L. Compton, 26 of Willisville, pled guilty to the offense of Possession of a Controlled Substance before Judge Gross. Pursuant to the plea, Mr. Compton was sentenced to first offender probation. During the plea, Mr. Compton admitted to possessing less than 15 grams of heroin located during a traffic stop in Percy on October 14, 2021. The State dismissed a second felony (2021-CF-280) to facilitate the plea. “Roger had no priors, but was one of our growing number of persons whom pick up a felony while on bond. As I have stated in the past, I typically do not hold that against them as it is a symptom of our current bond laws, which I disagree with. Roger’s biggest concern is not the second felony; it is the substance he got caught with…heroin. If Roger does not get the help he has been offered, he will end up dead or in prison,” cautioned Walker.
People v. John A. Denninger (2021-CF-251)
On February 7, 2022, John A. Denninger, 36 of Evansville, pled guilty to the offense of Possession of Methamphetamine before Judge Gross. Pursuant to the plea, Mr. Denninger was sentenced to first offender probation. During the plea, the Mr. Denninger admitted to possessing less than five (5) grams of methamphetamine located during a traffic stop in Chester on November 13, 2021. “John will be given a chance to prove he can get clean and sober, and avoid becoming a felon. All of which I fully support and wish him luck in his endeavors,” stated Walker.
People v. Gary L. Grobb (2021-CF-180)
On February 7, 2022, Gary L. Grobb, 38 of Paducah, KY, pled guilty to the offense of Driving While License Revoked before Judge Gross. Pursuant to the plea, Mr. Grobb was sentenced to serve one (1) year in the Illinois Department of Corrections. During the plea, Mr. Grobb admitted to driving an automobile in rural Randolph County with a revoked driver’s license, due to a DUI conviction, and having at least four (4) priors for the same offense, on July 16, 2021. “Gary was going to have to do 180 days in jail, or will serve 180 days in IDOC, Gary has been to IDOC multiple times in the past and he chose the IDOC option. Most in his shoes do as well as apparently IDOC, at least for a short period of time, is easier than time in our jail. I don’t ever want to find out and will take Gary’s word for it,” stated Walker.
People v. Donald D. Weiser (2021-CF-213, 273, 2021-CM-82 and 2022-DV-1)
On February 7, 2022, Donald D. Weiser, 46 of Walsh, pled guilty to the offense of Theft Over $10,000 before Judge Gross. No agreement was reached as to the sentence and this matter has been set for a sentencing hearing on May 5, 2022. During the plea, the Mr. Weiser admitted to stealing numerous catalytic converters within Randolph County from March 2021 to September 2021, with a total value in excess of $10,000.00. Numerous counts of burglary were dismissed to facilitate the plea, as well all other pending cases against Mr. Weiser. “Doug had a real tough end to 2021. It seemed he could not stay out of jail. We were finally able to get to stay in jail and will keep him there until he can get a bed for drug treatment. How Doug does in treatment, and after he gets out of treatment, will go a long way in what I ask for at the sentencing hearing. It is clear Doug has a meth problem and he is now taking steps to help him with that problem. As for the disposition, we convicted Doug of the most serious charge we had him charged with, which was an aggregate of all of the burglary charges. We have a lot of bond up to help get restitution in the pockets of our victims and have the Defendant going to rehab directly from our jail. The recipe is there for a good resolution for Doug. Let’s see if Doug will grab victory from the jaws of defeat, or defeat from the jaws of victory. It’s all up to him now,” concluded Walker.