CHESTER – Randolph County States Attorney Jeremy Walker has released his latest case updates.
People v. Brenna P. Doss (2021-CF-241 and 242) – On February 10, 2022, Breanna P. Doss, 26 of Willisville, pled guilty to the offense of Possession of Methamphetamine before the Honorable Judge Gene Gross. Pursuant to the plea, Ms. Doss was sentenced to first offender probation. During the plea, Ms. Doss admitted to possessing less than five (5) grams of methamphetamine located during a traffic stop in Sparta on October 27, 2021. Pursuant to the plea, a second charge of the same offense was dismissed. “Breanna was arrested in Steeleville a few weeks before the incident in Sparta, to which she ended up pleading guilty to. I was on the fence about charging her regarding the first case as another person was charged in that traffic stop and seemed more culpable. However, when she got caught with the same person with meth again, I filed the charge I dismissed…if nothing else for leverage. Breanna will have the chance to help herself out and avoid a felony, but only if she can behave and stay clean,” stated Walker. The Sparta Police Department handled the investigation in this matter.
People v. Tomiya S. Lawless (2021-CF-218) – On February 14, 2022, Tomiya S. Lawless, 41 of Lenzburg, was sentenced to serve four (4) years in the Illinois Department of Corrections following a sentencing hearing before the Honorable Judge Richard A. Brown. Ms. Lawless was facing sentencing for the offense of Methamphetamine Delivery occurring in Tilden on July 15, 2021. “Tomiya was due to be sentenced on February 14, and was nice enough to get arrested the evening before with some allegedly stolen credit cards in her possession. That arrest led her to agreeing to just accept four (4) years in prison for this delivery charge and we avoided a contested sentencing hearing. Tomiya was dealing drugs, for which you should go to prison, at least in my opinion. Tomiya obviously has a drug problem and I am confident this time will get her sober. What fork in the road she chooses now is up to her,” offered Walker. The Sparta Police Department and the former Tilden Police Department handled the investigation in this matter.
People v. Weston R. Baird (2021-CF-228) – On February 18, 2022, Weston R. Baird, 24 of Marissa, pled guilty to the offense of Home Invasion before Judge Brown. No agreement was reached as to the sentence and this matter has been set for a sentencing hearing on March 31, 2022. During the plea. Mr. Baird admitted to entering a residence in rural Baldwin on September 30, 2021, and causing an injury to an occupant of the residence. “This incident is one of the more serious and violent incidents that has occurred in my time as State’s Attorney. Mr. Baird violently attacked the homeowner in this matter with a hatchet and an air powered rifle. It just does not get much more serious than this, and I will be asking the court to impose a lengthy prison sentence,” offered Walker. The Randolph County Sheriff’s Office, with assistance from the Sparta Police Department and Illinois State Police handled the investigation in this matter.
People v. Kenny P. Stacker (2020-CF-123) – On February 18, 2022, Kenny P. Stacker, 34 of Sparta, pled guilty to the offense of Driving While License Revoked before Judge Brown. Pursuant to the plea, Mr. Stacker was sentenced to time in the Randolph County Jail and a period of conditional discharge. During the plea, Mr. Stacker admitted to driving a vehicle with a revoked license, due to a DUI conviction, in Sparta on May 11, 2020. “Kenny has had issues with driving; therefore, we did a felony disposition. However, I asked the court to commute the jail sentence as Kenny was injured in an incident while this matter was pending and I felt he did not need to go to jail. That will not be my opinion if Kenny gets in trouble again,” cautioned Walker. The Sparta Police Department handled the investigation in this matter.
People v. Hayden D. Baum (2021-CF-169) – On February 18, 2022, Hayden D. Baum, 27 of Fults, pled guilty to a reduced charge of misdemeanor Battery before Judge Brown. Pursuant to the plea, Mr. Baum was ordered to pay restitution and placed on conditional discharge. During the plea, Mr. Baum admitted to striking an individual in the face with his fist outside of a bar in Sparta on July 14, 2021. “Hayden did not have a prior felony and the victim in the case was comfortable with a misdemeanor disposition, as opposed to the felony. The only request the victim had was to get his restitution up front at the time of the plea, which I made part of the deal to reduce to misdemeanor. Mr. Baum will not carry the millstone around his neck that is a felony conviction and my victim is happy with having money in his pocket for expenses he incurred. Therefore, I would consider this a fair resolution,” explained Walker. The Sparta Police Department handled the investigation in this matter.
People v. Casey A. Matthews (2021-CF-93) – On February 22, 2022, Casey A. Matthews, 40 of Hillsboro, pled guilty to the offense of Theft Over $10,000 before Judge Brown. No agreement was reached as to the sentence and this matter has been set for a sentencing hearing on May 3, 2022. During the plea, Ms. Matthews admitted to stealing two John Deere UTV vehicles from a business near Steeleville on March 23, 2021. “Casey is the last of the three persons involved in the theft of these UTVs in Steeleville. I originally was of the opinion Ms. Matthews was a candidate for probation as she was cooperative in this investigation and did not appear to have a prior record. However, Casey was allegedly with Mr. Dyer (see below) in Madison County stealing again while on bond. Therefore, I am now of the opinion an IDOC sentence may be necessary to leave the impression that thieving is not proper way to make a living. We shall see if the Court agrees on May 3,” commented Walker. The Randolph County Sheriff’s Office handled the investigation in this matter.
People v. William W. Dyer (2021-CF-96) – On February 22, 2022, William W. Dyer, 45 of Hillsboro, was sentenced to four (4) years in the Illinois Department of Corrections following a sentencing hearing before Judge Brown. Mr. Dyer was facing sentencing for his involvement in the theft of two John Deere UTV vehicles from a business near Steeleville on March 23, 2021. “Mr. Dyer was not due to be sentenced for a few weeks, but he was arrested in Madison County for allegedly stealing catalytic converters while on bond. Madison County was going to release Mr. Dyer; but I requested a warrant to hold him with no bond based on the new charge in Madison County. After his arrival in Randolph County, he agreed to just accept the IDOC sentence and avoid a sentencing hearing as the tea leaves appeared to be swaying against him. All three of these persons involved in this theft from the John Deere dealership are either going to prison or I will be asking for prison. Property crimes should be dealt with seriously, especially when people come from out of this county and steal here. A message needs sent that type of behavior is not tolerated in Randolph County,” offered Walker. The Randolph County Sheriff’s Office handled the investigation in this matter.
People v. Claude F. Essary (2021-CF-208) – On February 24, 2022, Claude F. Essary, 44 of Chester, pled guilty to the offense of Driving While License Revoked before Judge Brown. Pursuant to the plea, Mr. Essary was sentenced to serve 180 days in the Randolph County Jail and placed on probation. Mr. Essary, during the plea, admitted to driving a motor vehicle in Chester on August 23, 2021 at a time his license was revoked due to a DUI conviction. “Claude is another person whom just can’t quit driving. Claude was caught again while this case was pending, but I did not file it. Therefore, despite some getting some leniency on jail sentences due to jail crowding and Covid, Claude will have to do 180 days in our jail. Our jail is a difficult place to do jail time. Maybe Claude will learn his lesson. If not, we are at least punishing him, if nothing else,” commented Walker. The Chester Police Department handled the investigation in this matter.
People v. Tyler A. McLain (2021-CF-92) – On March 1, 2022, Tyler A. McLain, 23 of Baldwin, pled guilty to the offense of Aggravated Battery before Judge Brown. Pursuant to the plea, Mr. McLain was sentenced to probation. During the plea. Mr. McLain admitted to touching a female on her breast without her permission, at a time she pregnant, in Baldwin on March 6, 2021. Two counts of Criminal Sexual Assault were dismissed to facilitate the plea. “Our victim in this case was cooperative and involved in this decision making process to have the Defendant plea to a lesser charge. While her version of the case never wavered, in that she had an unwanted sexual contact with Mr. McLain, this was a difficult case as it centered on the victim being intoxicated and Mr. McLain knowing that her level of intoxication made her incapable of consenting. There was no issue the act of sex occurred between the parties…it was an issue of consent. The victim made a report that day, cooperated with a rape kit and cooperated with us. After spending a lot of time with the victim prepping her for trial, she just decided it was best to move on with her life and guarantee an outcome. I am confident some will question why this case was resolved in this fashion. However, I will for the most part resolve these types of cases the way my victims want. Certainly if we win this case, there is a prison sentence. If we lose the case, there is nothing. The victim wanted to guarantee something happened, and we did that for her, for which she was grateful and satisfied with the outcome. Not to be trite or disrespectful to others, but in these cases my victim is really the only one I care about how they feel at the end of the case. I will live with those whom don’t like the outcome, as long as my victim liked the outcome,” explained Walker. The Randolph County Sheriff’s office handled the investigation in this matter.
People v. Jerry W. Nail (2021-CF-257) – On March 3, 2022, Jerry W. Nail, 46 of Perryville, pled guilty to the offense of Possession of Methamphetamine before Judge Gross. Pursuant to the plea, Mr. Nail was sentenced to first offender probation. During the plea, Mr. Nail admitted to possessing less than five (5) grams of methamphetamine located during a traffic stop in Chester on November 24, 2021. “Jerry was incarcerated from the time of his arrest to his plea as we had some question of his mental status. After getting him right mentally, we resolved the case quickly with a first offender disposition. Jerry had a long time to get sober while in jail, which I hope will continue now that he is breathing fresh air again,” stated Walker. The Chester Police Department handled the investigation in this matter.
People v. Aaron M. Kratz (2021-CF-161) – On March 3, 2022, Aaron M. Kratz, 40 of Sparta, pled guilty to the offense of Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol before Judge Gross. During the plea, Mr. Kratz admitted to operating a motorcycle in rural Baldwin while under the influence of alcohol on May 1, 2021. A charge of Leaving the Scene of an Accident was dismissed to facilitate the plea. “Mr. Kratz and an acquaintance were involved in an accident while riding motor cycles together last summer. It was our position Mr. Kratz had left the scene, and in doing so I surmise people are either trying to hide a DUI, or the fact they are wanted. Mr. Kratz was not wanted, so I suspected he was DUI at the time of the incident. In lieu of a felony, we had Mr. Kratz plea to a DUI and he be required to obtain alcohol counseling. The victim/acquaintance involved in the accident agreed to this disposition,” offered Walker. The Illinois State Police handled the investigation in this matter.
People v. Tab W. Sanders (2021-CF-182) – On March 3, 2022, Tab W. Sanders, 34 of New Athens, pled guilty to the offense of Possession of Firearm by Felon before Judge Brown. Pursuant to the plea, Mr. Sanders was sentenced to serve two (2) years in the Illinois Department of Corrections. During the plea, Mr. Sanders admitted to possessing a handgun located during a traffic stop in Tilden on August 5, 2021. “Tab had a prior controlled substance charge in St. Clair County, which made it illegal for him to possess a firearm. When felons are in possession of firearms, it is my general practice to send them to prison. Tab has a drug problem and I am hopeful this time in IDOC will get him sober and make better life choices in the future. It is possible I could have convinced the court to give Tab a year or so more, but the Tilden PD is no longer in existence and both of my officers whom would have had to testify would have had to take time off their new jobs to come back to court. While I know them both and I am confident they would have done so as they are dedicated officers, it just seemed better to move on and not complicate things for them,” commented Walker. The Tilden Police Department handled the investigation in this matter.
People v. Perez N. Pastor (2018-CF-82) – On March 3, 2022, Perez N. Pastor, 23 of Cutler, pled guilty to the offense of Possession of Methamphetamine before Judge Gross. During the plea, Mr. Pastor admitted to possessing less than five (5) grams of methamphetamine located in his possession at the Randolph County Jail on April 27, 2018. A charge of contraband in a penal institution was dismissed to facilitate the plea. “Mr. Perez was deported, or at least sent to ICE when this charge originated in 2018. However, he showed back up in late February and had resolved his immigration issues with ICE. This case centered around meth on him when he was brought to jail and the contraband charge was a bit of stretch. I filed it to help ICE with their case against Mr. Pastor. I am not sure what happened with ICE, but Mr. Pastor had no record and the simple possession charge was the correct charge to proceed on,” stated Walker. The Randolph County Sheriff’s Office handled the investigation.
People v. Jeffrey S. Glover (2021-CF-269) – On March 3, 2022, Jeffrey S. Glover, 33 of Coulterville, pled guilty to a misdemeanor charge of Domestic Battery before Judge Brown. Pursuant to the plea, Mr. Glover was sentenced to serve a period of probation. During the plea, Mr. Glover admitted to striking a female victim in the body, causing bodily harm on December 11, 2021 in Tilden. The charge was amended from a felony to a misdemeanor to facilitate the plea. “My victim in this case began to waiver on me. While she never changed her recollection of the events that led to her being injured and Mr. Glover being the person responsible for her injury, she did not want me to continue to proceed with a felony charge. I could have attempted to forge ahead without her cooperation, but that would most likely lead to an outright acquittal, or at least make it difficult to obtain a conviction. As I stated above, for the most part, I do want my victims want. If I start trying to be a parent or impose my will as to what I think is the fair outcome, I risk losing the case. I would rather not lose, not just for the sake of losing, but a conviction for this will stay with Mr. Glover forever and can be used to enhance a future occurrence of the same conduct to a felony and as propensity evidence that he has this tendency to behave this way. Based on those factors, I went with a misdemeanor, which my victim was happy with and requested,” offered Walker. The Randolph County Sheriff’s office handled the investigation in this matter.
People v. Larry M. White (2022-CF-19) – On March 7, 2022, Larry M. White, 36 of Steeleville, pled guilty to the offense of Resisting a Peace Officer before Judge Brown. Pursuant to the plea, Mr. White was sentenced to serve 90 days in the Randolph County Jail and probation. During the plea, Mr. White admitted to resisting a Sparta Police Officer, and causing an injury to the officer, on February 2, 2022 in Sparta. A second charge of Aggravated Assault was dismissed to facilitate the plea. “Larry was having a difficult time following directions and very belligerent while a patient at the ER in Sparta on February 2. He scuffled with the officers and eventually pulled a knife from his pocket. Luckily the knife was not used and the officers were not seriously injured in the ruckus, but I felt Mr. White’s behavior warranted a felony conviction and jail time. The officers involved agreed and I resolved the case accordingly. Our officers do not deserve disrespect or to be injured in the line of duty. I would never ask people to always agree with how an officer handles things, but I always ask people to be courteous and follow directions. If you can’t do that, you will be prosecuted,” cautioned Walker. The Sparta Police Department handled the investigation in this matter.
People v. Christopher W. Dunn (2020-CF-129) – On March 7, 2022, Christopher W. Dunn, 28 of St. Peters, MO, was sentenced to a term of probation for the offense of Aggravated Fleeing/Eluding a Peace Officer following a sentencing hearing before Judge Brown. Mr. Dunn was facing sentencing for an incident with a Chester police officer on May 29, 2020. During the plea, both the State and the Defendant recommended a term of probation for Mr. Dunn. “Mr. Dunn was able to elude the officers the night in question, but ended up being arrested in Missouri following the incident in their jurisdiction. Missouri sent Chris to prison and he came to us following his release. Upon his release from the Missouri Department of Corrections, Chris moved to Missouri and secured fulltime employment in the St. Louis area. The pre-sentence investigation ordered by the court for the sentencing hearing verified those facts. I view this outcome as the best of both worlds, in that he was incarcerated for about a year, moved out of state, got a job and will be under the thumb of the court for two more years to adjust a sentence if there are issues. Seems fair to me,” offered Walker. The Chester Police Department, with assistance from the Randolph County Sheriff’s Office handled the investigation in this matter
People v. Lisa R. Lynch (2021-CF-247) – On March 10, 2022, Lisa R. Lynch, 57 of Marissa, pled guilty to the offense of Possession of Methamphetamine before Judge Brown. Pursuant to the plea, Ms. Lynch was sentenced to first offender probation. During the plea, Ms. Lynch admitted to possessing less than five (5) grams of methamphetamine located during a traffic crash investigation in rural Sparta on October 22, 2021. “Lisa is a bit older than our typical first offender, but as I have stated before, the scourge of methamphetamine knows no age, color or socioeconomic background. Let’s all root for Lisa to get well and avoid a felony,” commented Walker. The Randolph County Sheriff’s Office handled the investigation in this matter.
People v. Michael Pratt (2020-CF-19 and 49) – On March 11, 2022, the State moved to dismiss pending charges against Mr. Pratt, due to his recent 120-month sentence to the Federal Bureau of Prisons.