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Randolph County State's Attorney Case Updates

Posted January 26, 2015 10:00 pm

People v. Andrew L. Fullington:

On January 15, 2015, 28-year-old Andrew L. Fullington, of Chester, pled guilty to the offense of obstructing justice before the Honorable Richard A. Brown.

No agreement was reached as to the sentence and a sentencing hearing will be held on February 25 at 10 a.m.

Fullington admitted to providing a false name to a Chester police officer on October 25, 2014. Fullington, at the time, had an active warrant for his arrest and also refused to come out of his home after allegedly going inside to obtain identification.

Charges relating to refusing to come out of his home were dismissed, per the plea. Furthermore, Fullington is awaiting trial on a charge of possession of methamphetamine manufacturing materials.

A further agreement was reached if the defendant is sentenced to a certain number of years by Judge Brown, the meth related charge will be dismissed.

"This is a prime example of someone making their situation worse by lying," said Randolph County State's Attorney Jeremy Walker. "If the Mr. Fullington would have simply went with the officer, he would not have incurred an additional felony charge.

"Nonetheless, provided we get the time we want in the Department of Corrections, we will be killing two birds with one stone and saving resources. If we don't get the time we want, we will proceed to trial on the next set of charges."

The case was investigated by the Chester Police Department, with assistance from the Sheriff's Office.

People v. Malachi Duncan:

On January 15, 31-year-old Malachi D. Duncan, of East St. Louis, pled guilty before Judge Brown to the felony offense of deceptive practice.

Duncan admitted to passing a bad check at an auto dealership in Ruma on January 18, 2014. No agreement was reached as to the sentence and Judge Brown will determine Duncan's punishment on March 5 at 1 p.m.

"Luckily law enforcement was able to locate the vehicle Mr. Duncan obtained with his bad check," said Walker. "Nonetheless, our information shows he is a habitual criminal and we will be seeking a prison sentence of two years at the sentencing hearing.

"We will anxiously await Judge Brown's ruling on March 5."

The case was investigated by the Ruma Police Department.

People v. Dennis Wilkes:

On January 15, 48-year-old Dennis Wilkes, of Sparta, pled guilty to the offense of criminal sexual abuse before Judge Brown.

Pursuant to the negotiated plea, the charge was amended from the offense of aggravated criminal sexual abuse. Furthermore, Wilkes was sentenced to two years of probation with a requirement to seek sex offender evaluation and treatment.

Additionally, Wilkes was sentenced to 30 days in jail. During the plea, Wilkes admitted to having a minor touch his penis on January 3, 2014.

"After speaking with the victim and her parents, they were in complete agreement to resolve the case as we did," Walker said. "In no way am I making light of the conduct of Mr. Wilkes, but there was no intercourse of any fashion and we felt there was a strong probability he would have received probation after a trial, due to his lack of criminal history.

"To avoid the child having to testify, the parents were satisfied with probation and the fact he will have to register as a sex offender."

The case was investigated by the Sparta Police Department.

People v. Theodore R. Gleghorn:

On January 23, 25-year-old Theodore R. Gleghorn, of Sparta, pled guilty to the offense of burglary before Judge Brown.

No agreement was reached as to the sentence and the matter will proceed to a sentencing hearing on March 9. The charge was amended from residential burglary to facilitate the plea, during which Gleghorn admitted to entering a building in Sparta on November 23, 2014 with the intent to commit therein a theft.

"The possible penalty for a residential burglary is 15 years, as opposed to a seven-year sentence on the burglary," Walker said. "However, the number we were asking for during plea negotiations was within the sentencing range of the burglary, so we took the plea.

"I am hopeful to get the top end of the sentencing range in the Department of Corrections and will attempt to persuade Judge Brown on March 5 that is the appropriate sentence. Again, we don't feel we left anything on the table and are confident of a serious sentence for Mr. Gleghorn."

The case was investigated by the Sparta Police Department.

People v. Curtis L. Booth:

On January 23, 54-year-old Curtis L. Booth, of Walsh, pled guilty to a reduced (Class A misdemeanor) charge of possession of cannabis before Judge Brown.

Booth paid a total fine and costs of $1,000 and is convicted of the charge. Booth was originally charged with a Class 4 Felony.

During the plea, Booth admitted to possession more than 10 grams, but less than 30 grams, of cannabis in Walsh on September 16, 2014. The charge originated after the execution of a search warrant on his home on September 16 by the Randolph County Sheriff's Office.

"Mr. Booth, to our knowledge, has no priors," Walker said. "Additionally, we feel a co-defendant is more culpable in this matter and her case is still pending before the Court.

"Given a lack of criminal history, a misdemeanor conviction seemed more appropriate."

The case was investigated by the Sherriff's Office, with assistance from many local departments providing man power during the search warrant execution.

People v. Robert J. Taylor:

On January 26, 52-year-old Robert J. Taylor, of Chester, pled guilty to the offense of unlawful possession of methamphetamine before Judge Brown.

No agreement was reached as to the sentence, and a sentencing hearing is scheduled for March 19 at 1 p.m. Taylor admitted to possessing more than 5 grams of methamphetamine in Chester on May 27, 2014.

The methamphetamine was located after a traffic stop of the vehicle Taylor was driving in Chester on May 27.

"Mr. Taylor does not have a good record," Walker said. "The charge he pled to normally carries a penalty of three to seven years. However, based on his record, we filed paperwork to have the charge enhanced to a Class X felony.

"Based on this enhancement, Taylor will serve a minimum of six years in prison and could face up to 30 years. I would like to commend the Chester Police Department for their commitment to obtain a K-9 dog for their department.The K-9 and his handler in this case took a bad guy off the streets and their actions are commendable."

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