CHESTER – Randolph County State’s Attorney Jeremy Waker has released his latest case updates.
People v. John R. Talty (2022-CF-17)
On April 11, 2022, John R. Talty, 55 of Lenzburg, pled guilty to the offense of Aggravated Battery to a Police Officer before the Honorable Judge Richard A. Brown. Pursuant to the plea, Mr. Talty was sentenced to serve four (4) years in the Illinois Department of Corrections. During the plea, Mr. Talty admitted to striking a vehicle driven by a Sparta Police Officer, causing great bodily harm to the officer, while in Sparta on January 31, 2022. Pursuant to the plea, a charge of Aggravated Assault and Aggravated Fleeing/Eluding were dismissed. “This was a dangerous incident Mr. Talty placed himself, citizens of this community and the officers involved in. When people do not stop for the police, bad things can happen. In this instance, Mr. Talty injured an officer, whom is still recovering from a back injury and has not returned to active duty, due to injuries sustained in this incident. This was Mr. Tatly’s first trip to IDOC and after speaking with the officer injured, we felt four (4) years was adequate punishment. This will give John a lot of time to think about how stupid he acted on April 11,” stated Walker. The Sparta Police Department handled the investigation.
People v. Alecia M. Galle (2021-CF-270)
On April 11, 2022, Alecia M. Galle, 34 of Marissa, pled guilty to the offense of Possession of Methamphetamine before Judge Brown. Pursuant to the plea, Ms. Galle was placed on first offender probation. During the plea, Ms. Galle admitted to possessing less than five (5) grams of methamphetamine located during a traffic stop in Steeleville on December 13, 2021. “Not much to comment on this arrest and disposition. Other than is it sad how often we arrest, plea and deal with people whom are using meth,” offered Walker. The Steeleville Police Department handled the investigation.
People v. Carley J. Hill (2021-CF-27)
On April 11, 2022, Carley J. Hill, 27 of Pinckneyville, pled guilty to the offense of Battery (misdemeanor) before Judge Brown. Pursuant to the plea, the Defendant was placed on probation. During the plea, the Defendant admitted to kicking a person in Sparta on August 1, 2021. The charge was amended from a felony to facilitate the plea. “I spoke with the officer involved in this matter and he was not injured in this incident and was in agreement with a reduction from a felony to a misdemeanor. With no prior felonies, the lack of an injury and the agreement of the officer, a misdemeanor seemed the appropriate disposition. I have said it before, we only need two crimes…misdemeanor stupid and felony stupid. This was misdemeanor stupid,” commented Walker. The Sparta Police Department handled the investigation.
People v. Rebecca L. Wright, Laura L. Bentem and Billey G. Miller (2022-CF-48, 47 and 46)
On April 11, 2022, Rebeca L. Wright, 41 of Elkville, Laura L. Bentem, 32 of Percy and Billey G. Miller, 52 of Percy, all pled guilty to the offense of Burglary before Judge Brown. Pursuant to the plea, all three Defendants were placed on a period of probation. During the plea, all three defendant admitted to entering a building of another in/near Percy on February 22, 2022 with the intent to commit therein a theft. “While these are theft cases, there is certainly one thing that caused them to steal…methamphetamine. These three all admitted to stealing from a vacant building and scrapping materials and metals, which I am confident became profits to feed a meth addiction. Not surprisingly, just like many whom get caught with meth, none of them had any prior felony convictions. Therefore, they will be given a chance to get clean, sober and avoid a felony conviction. If they can’t, they will face resentencing for a burglary, which I would think would land them a trip in corrections. I would love nothing more than for them to successfully complete this probation and avoid the felony. Realistically, with how difficult a meth addiction it to beat, I am not all that optimistic,” cautioned Walker. The Steeleville Police Department handled the investigation.
People v. Carrie M. Atchison (2021-CF-252)
On April 14, 2022, Carrie M. Atchison, 44 of Chester, pled guilty to the offense of Possession of Methamphetamine before Judge Brown. Pursuant to the plea, Ms. Atchison was sentence to first offender probation. During the plea, Ms. Atchison admitted to possessing less than five (5) grams of methamphetamine located during a traffic stop in Steeleville on November 12, 2021. “Hopefully Carrie will use this opportunity we have given her to better her life. Few choose to do so, but I hope she does,” commented Walker. The Steeleville Police Department handled the investigation.
People v. Christopher D. Murray (2021-CF-53)
On April 18, 2022, Christopher D. Murray, 29 of Steeleville, pled guilty to the offense of Endangering the Health of a Child before Judge Brown. No agreement was reached as to the sentence and this matter has been set for a sentencing hearing on June 3, 2022. During the plea, the Defendant admitted to failing to seek adequate medical care for a 22-month old child in Sparta on February 21, 2020, which act caused the death of the minor child. A charge of Involuntary Manslaughter and Aggravated Battery were dismissed to facilitate the plea. “This was a tough case for us. Anytime you have a dead child, it is a tough case to work on. However, from the beginning it appeared the child died as the result of injuries that in the past were referred to as shaken baby syndrome. That term is no longer typically used by doctors, but referred to as acute head trauma. During the initial autopsy, some injuries confirmed our suspicions, and a second examination by a pathologist in St. Louis, in her opinion, confirmed the child died from a head injury referred to as acute head trauma. The problem with these types of cases are we do not have any evidence of what that trauma was actually caused by. The Defendant stated the child fell backwards and then threw his head back violently against an object, during a temper tantrum. Our pathologist stated, in her opinion, that was not medically possible, but rather the child was likely exposed to a head trauma of another matter. But again, could not say what or how. Typically, we try to speak with the Defendant before arrest and take the more serious charges off the table, if they admit what happened. In this case, we tried three times to speak with the Defendant before arrest, but were unsuccessful as one time he had Covid, the Defendant had moved on a second occasion and we could not locate him and finally, he quickly bonded after his arrest and retained a lawyer; therefore, we could not speak with him. None the less, the ultimate outcome was what we wanted and was agreed to by the father of the child. The mother of the child has fully supported the Defendant (her significant other) and was uncooperative with law enforcement. There is no question I would have preferred a conviction on a more robust charge, but the calculated decision was made to guarantee an outcome for the child,” explained Walker. The Illinois Child Death Task Force, with members from the Illinois State Police, Department of Children and Family Services and the Sparta Police Department handled the investigation.
People v. Nicholas A. Allgaier (2021-CF-262)
On April 18, 2022, Nicholas A. Allgaier, 30 of Johnston City, pled guilty to the offense of Possession of a Firearm by a Felon. Pursuant to the plea, Mr. Allgaier was sentenced to serve three (3) years in the Illinois Department of Corrections. During the plea, Mr. Allgaier admitted to possessing a firearm located during a traffic stop in Coulterville on December 1, 2021 after the Defendant had previously been convicted of a felony. “While I fully support ones right to possess and carry and firearms, that right ceases after a felony conviction. It was also alleged the Defendant had methamphetamine in the vehicle at the time of his arrest, and in my opinion, guns and meth do not mix. While it may on its face seem severe to send one to prison for this type of charge, I think it is the right thing to do and want to send a message that if you get caught with a gun, either after being convicted of a felony or having meth on you, you go to prison,” explained Walker. The Coulterville Police Department handled the investigation.
People v. Luke A. Clinton (2021-CF-179)
On April 18, 2022, Luke A. Clinton, 23 of St. Genevieve, pled guilty to the offense of Possession of Methamphetamine before Judge Brown. Pursuant to the plea, the Defendant was sentenced to serve three (3) years in the Illinois Department of Corrections. During the plea, the Defendant admitted to possessing less than five (5) grams of methamphetamine located during a warrant arrest in Chester on August 3, 2021. “Luke was on probation in Missouri and had violated the probation in the past. While I fully believe in giving users the opportunity to get clean, I also fully believe if you are on probation and get in more trouble and/or continually violate probation, you need to go to prison. If you do not, a terrible message would be sent to those whom get probation that we do not care how you behave while under the supervision of the court,” commented Walker. The Chester Police Department handled the investigation.
People v. Jeffrey E. Goetting (2021-CF-230)
On April 18, 2022, Jeffrey E. Goetting, 35 of Campbell Hill, pled guilty to the offense of Possession of Methamphetamine. Pursuant to the plea, Mr. Goetting was sentenced to first offender probation. During the plea, Mr. Goetting admitted to possessing less than five (5) grams of methamphetamine located in Steeleville on September 20, 2021. “Jeff is just the latest of our local people to succumb to the Pandora’s box that is methamphetamine. I hope Jeff can put the lid back on and get his life right,” stated Walker. The Steeleville Police Department handled the investigation.
People v. Jessica M. Blackwood (2022-CF-2)
On April 18, 2022, Jessica M. Blackwood, 36 of Chester, pled guilty to the offense of Possession of Methamphetamine before Judge Brown. Pursuant to the plea, Ms. Blackwood was sentenced to first offender probation. During the plea, Ms. Blackwood admitted to possessing less than five (5) grams of methamphetamine located in Chester during an eviction from her residence on December 30, 2021. “Jessica had another charge I could have filed on her and is obviously struggling with meth use. She now has the opportunity to get that help, let’s all root for her to do so,” commented Walker. he Chester Police Department handled the investigation.
People v. Donald J. Friesse (2022-CF-34)
On April 18, 2022, the State moved to dismiss this case with leave to reinstate due to the Defendant’s recent sentence to the Federal Bureau of Prisons.
People v. Clayton R. Morrison (2021-CF-261)
On April 18, 2022, Clayton R. Morrison, 28 of Percy, pled guilty to a reduced charge of Aggravated Assault (Class A Misdemeanor) before Judge Brown. Pursuant to the plea, Mr. Morrison was placed on conditional discharge. During the plea, Mr. Morrison admitted to placing a person in reasonable apprehension of receiving a battery, while on a public roadway, in Percy on November 30, 2021. “The victim in this case was uncooperative and I felt a reduction to a misdemeanor, with a condition to seek substance abuse counseling, was the right disposition. I very easily could have lost this one at trial, without the cooperation of the victim,” offered Walker. The Steeleville Police Department handled the investigation.
People v. Phillip P. Roscow (2021-CF-235)
On April 18, 2022, Phillip P. Roscow, 28 of Evansville, pled guilty to the offense of Possession of Controlled Substance before the Honorable Judge Gene Gross. Pursuant to the plea, the Defendant was sentenced to first offender probation. During the plea, the Defendant admitted to possessing less than 15 grams of amphetamine dextroamphetamine (Adderall) located during a traffic stop in Sparta on October 4, 2021. “Adderall is an upper, which if not used correctly, has addictive qualities and mimics the effects of methamphetamine. It can get depressing sometimes seeing all of these people struggling with substance abuse issues. However, you have to get yourself refocused that you are trying to help. If that person chooses not to take the help offered, you can’t take it personally and should try a more robust approach to help them. I hope Phillip takes our initial offer of help, and not the more robust penalty option,” stated Walker. The Sparta Police Department handled the investigation.
People v. Tracy A. Stuthers (2021-CF-191)
On April 21, 2022, Tracy A. Stuthers, 56 of Carterville, pled guilty to the offense of Possession of a Controlled Substance before Judge Brown. Pursuant to the plea, Ms. Stuthers was sentenced to first offender probation. During the plea, Ms. Stuthers admitted to possessing less than 15 grams of cocaine located during a traffic stop in Chester on August 30, 2021. “It is old school to see cocaine as we just do not see that much of it anymore. Meth has become so pervasive you almost think of cocaine as an afterthought. However, it is addictive and also can ruin your life,” commented Walker. The Chester Police Department handled the investigation.
People v. Michael A. Coleman (2022-CF-23)
On April 25, 2022, Michael A. Coleman, 31 of Chester, pled guilty to the offense of Possession of Methamphetamine before Judge Brown. Pursuant to the plea, Mr. Coleman was sentenced to probation. During the plea, Mr. Coleman admitted to possessing less than five (5) grams of methamphetamine located in Chester during a warrant arrest on February 11, 2022. A misdemeanor charge in 2021-CM-180 (Trespassing) was dismissed to facilitate the plea. “Mr. Coleman missed court on the misdemeanor charge, got a warrant and had meth on him when he was arrested. That is a very familiar fact patters for us. Mr. Coleman had a prior felony several years ago, but was not on parole or probation at the time of this arrest. Typically, with those facts, we see a probation disposition. Michael is using up his chances and will face a real threat of IDOC time if he cannot complete this probation,” offered Walker. The Chester Police Department handled the investigation.
People v. Destiny M. Beckley (2022-CF-42)
On May 2, 2022, Destiny M. Beckley, 19 of Sparta, pled guilty to the offense of Possession of a Controlled Substance before Judge Brown. Pursuant to the plea, Ms. Beckley was sentenced to first offender probation. During the plea, Ms. Beckley admitted to possessing less than 15 grams of cocaine located during a traffic stop in Sparta on February 12, 2022. “Just when I say it is old school to see cocaine, we have two dispositions in a few days. Destiny is very young and I really hope she takes this serious and can avoid her felony. It would be a shame to see a 19-year-old get saddled with a felony, but that will be up to her at this point,” commented Walker. The Chester Police Department handled the investigation.
People v. Aaron W. Kinstler (2021-CF-239)
On May 2, 2022, Aaron W. Kinstler, 25 of Ava, pled guilty to the offense of Possession of Methamphetamine before Judge Brown. Pursuant to the plea, Mr. Kinstler was sentenced to first offender probation. During the plea, Mr. Kinstler admitted to possessing less than five (5) grams of methamphetamine located in Percy during a warrant arrest on October 25, 2021. “Aaron had a first offender disposition in 2016, which he completed. The law recently changed and a defendant is entitled to a first offender disposition every 4 years. Seems to defy logic, but that is the law and we have to follow it. Aaron was another victim of missing court, getting a warrant and having meth on them. We shall see if this time we can keep Aaron out of trouble again and keep his record free of felonies,” stated Walker. The Steeleville Police Department handled the investigation in this matter.
People v. Skylar B. Danaha (2021-CF-190)
On May 2, 2022, Skylar B. Danaha, 27 of Sparta, pled guilty to the offense of Aggravated Fleeing/Eluding before Judge Brown. No agreement was reached as to the sentence and this matter has been set for a sentencing hearing on June 27, 2022. During the plea, Mr. Danaha admitted to failing to stop for a Sparta Police Officer on August 18, 2021 and running two stop signs during the chase. “We started this round with a fleeing/eluding charge that landed someone in IDOC. I am asking for that outcome in this case, not just because of the charge, but Skylar has been in and out of trouble for years. I just think it is time he sits in corrections to get his head on straight. We shall see what the court feels is the fair and appropriate sentence on June 27,” concluded Walker. The Sparta Police Department handled the investigation in this matter.