Randolph County State's Attorney Case Updates

People v. Lawrence Tyson:

<span>On February 4, 35-year-old Lawrence J. Tyson, of Sparta, was sentenced to 30 months in the Illinois Department of Corrections by the Honorable Richard A. Brown.</span>

<span>Tyson had previously pled guilty to the offense of failure to register as a sex offender on January 2. No agreement was reached as to a sentence and a sentencing hearing was held on February 4.</span>

<span>At the sentencing hearing, the State requested a three-year prison sentence and the defendant requested probation, with credit for county jail time as the defendant had been in custody since October 2014.</span>

<span>"Mr. Tyson has been prosecuted several times for failing to keep a current address on file, or not coming to the local police department to register," said Randolph County State's Attorney Jeremy Walker. "I felt giving Mr. Tyson probation after repeatedly breaking the law was not the appropriate course of action. Judge Brown apparently agreed and we are pleased with the outcome."</span>

<span>The case was investigated by the Sparta Police Department. </span>

People v. Lisa Thompson:

<span>On February 4, 51-year-old Lisa A. Thompson, of Sparta, was sentenced to 260 days in the Randolph County Jail and placed on probation for a period of 30 months by the Honorable Gene Gross.</span>

<span>Thompson had previously pled guilty to the offense of criminal trespass to a residence on December 18, 2014, however, no agreement was reached as to the sentence and a sentencing hearing was held on February 4.</span>

<span>At the hearing, the State requested three years in the Illinois Department of Corrections, and the defendant requested probation.</span>

<span>"Lisa had two prior felony convictions and I am not a big believer in giving repeat offenders probation," Walker said. "That being said, the facts of this case involve Lisa entering two homes in Tilden and taking a cup of coffee, a can of coffee and spilling tea on the floor in a home.</span>

<span>"I can understand the sentence given the lack of aggravating factors, but I still do not agree with repeat offenders receiving probation. However, we respect the decision of the Court, and given the facts of the case, can certainly understand the outcome."</span>

<span>The case was investigated by the Randolph County Sheriff's Office.</span>

People v. Paula Lucas:

<span>On February 5, 41-year-old Paula A. Lucas, of Perryville, Mo., was sentenced by Judge Brown to three years in the Illinois Department of Corrections.</span>

<span>Lucas had previously pled guilty to the offense of unlawful possession of methamphetamine on December 22, 2014, but no agreement was reached as to the sentence.</span>

<span>During the sentencing hearing held on February 5, the State requested five years in the Illinois Department of Corrections and the defendant requested probation.</span>

<span>"Ms. Lucas had multiple prior felony convictions and had previously served time in the Missouri Department of Corrections," Walker said. "Given this history, we are pleased this repeat offender was sentenced to Corrections</span>

<span>"I have no problem helping people with drug addictions when they are prosecuted. Sending someone to prison should not always be the goal.</span>

<span>"However, if you are repeatedly in trouble and break the law in this county, there should be serious consequence for your actions. We believe this was done in this case."</span>

<span>This matter was investigated by the Chester Police Department.</span>

People v. William P. Wittenborn:

<span>On February 5, this case was dismissed at the request of the complaining witness. Wittenborn, 52 of Chester, was charged with the offense of aggravated battery.</span>

<span>"Mr. Wittenborn pled to case number 13-CF-82 on May 2, 2013," Walker said. "At that time, Mr. Wittenborn was required to seek help for substance abuse issues.</span>

<span>"Furthermore, it was agreed we would continue this case to ensure he did was he was supposed to. The victim wanted the case dismissed back in 2013, but I thought it would be better to keep a hammer over his head a while longer to see if he got in any trouble.</span>

<span>"I spoke with the victim last week (whom was his mother) and she indicated he was doing great and she wanted the case dismissed against him. Accordingly, we did."</span>

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