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Randolph County State's Attorney case updates

Posted July 06, 2015 11:00 pm

By Staff Report The Herald Tribune

People v. Steve W. Manning:

On June 18, 64-year-old Steve W. Manning, of Sparta, pled guilty to the offense of possession of child pornography before the Honorable Gene Gross.

Pursuant to the negotiated plea, Manning was ordered to pay a $1,000 total fine/costs, placed on conditional discharge for a period of two years and is required to register as a sex offender for the remainder of his life.

Manning, during the plea, admitted to possessing a computer file which contained images of a child he knew, or should have known, to be under 18 years of age engaged in an act of sexual conduct on March 28, 2014.

"Mr. Manning had no prior criminal history before this incident," said Randolph County State's Attorney Jeremy Walker. "Having to register as a sex offender in this matter is the real punishment.

"Having to register as a sex offender severely limits your ability to go to certain places, live in certain places and certainly is not a badge most people want to wear."

"It does not appear this was a large cache of images we located in the computer and given that fact, coupled with his lack of prior history, this seemed an appropriate punishment; especially when you factor in the registration requirements," Walker added.

The Sparta Police Department handled the investigation in this matter.

People v. Jennifer N. Knight:

On June 19, 38-year-old Jennifer N. Knight, of Red Bud, pled guilty to the offense of residential burglary before the Honorable Richard A. Brown.

Pursuant to the negotiated plea, Knight was sentenced to seven years in the Illinois Department of Corrections and was ordered to pay restitution to two victims.

During the plea, Knight admitted to entering a home in/near Modoc with the intent to commit a theft on February 18. However, during the investigation, it was discovered Knight had entered several homes in the Prairie du Rocher area over the last several years.

"It is a strong sentence, but it was also a serious set of facts when you are talking about entering a home and stealing," said Randolph County State's Attorney Jeremy Walker. "I reached out to several people whom we know were victims and discussed the sentencing options for Ms. Knight.

"After Ms. Knight is released from the Department of Corrections, she will have to pay back two victims whom requested restitution."

"This sentence is Ms. Knight's first sentence to the Department of Corrections and second felony offense, as she was currently on probation for the offense of forgery," Walker added. "That probation was terminated unsuccessful pursuant to the plea.

"We take these types of crimes very seriously and try to tailor an appropriate punishment for such an offense. Seven years in prison, even with all of the credits from the Department of Corrections, will be approximately three and a half years in prison.

"I appreciate the work put in by the sheriff's office in this matter as they cleared up a lot of unsolved cases over the past several years with their efforts."

This matter was investigated by the Randolph County Sheriff's Office.

People v. Darren H. Beard, II:

On June 22, 26-year-old Darren H. Beard, II, of Murphysboro, pled guilty to the offense of unlawful possession of cocaine before Judge Brown.

Pursuant to the plea, Beard was sentenced to two years of probation under the first offender provision of the Controlled Substances Act, with a condition to seek alcohol and substance abuse treatment.

Additionally, Beard was ordered to pay a $2,000 fine/costs and a $500 drug assessment fee. To facilitate the plea, the amount of cocaine in the charging documents was lowered from more than 15 grams, to less than 15 grams, which Beard admitted to possessing in Chester on December 16, 2014.

"Mr. Beard had no prior criminal history before this matter and will be given an opportunity to get any help he may need with substance abuse issues," said Randolph County State's Attorney Jeremy Walker. "If he successfully completes the probation, there will be no felony conviction. As I typically reiterate, we try to help people the first time we see them.

"This is another case of trying to help and get people back on the road to a productive lifestyle," Walker said. "I hope Mr. Beard takes the help and does well for himself."

The Chester Police Department handled the investigation in this matter.

People v. Jared L. Anders:

On June 22, 2015, 19-year-old Jared L. Anders, of Sparta pled guilty to the offense of unlawful delivery of controlled substance (cocaine) before Judge Brown.

No agreement was reached as to the sentence and the matter was re-set for a sentencing hearing on August 17.

The charge was amended from over 1 gram of cocaine, to less than 1 gram of cocaine, which the Defendant admitted to delivering to a confidential informant in Sparta on July 22, 2014.

"We lowered the amount to under 1 gram, but the lab only verified 1.001 grams anyway, so it wasn't giving up much to facilitate the plea," said Randolph County State's Attorney Jeremy Walker. "The biggest difference in the sentencing options on the amended charge, is the fact Mr. Anders will be eligible for probation, which we will oppose.

"At the sentencing hearing, I will recommend four years in the Department of Corrections, with a boot camp recommendation."

"I am confident the Defendant will seek a sentence of probation," Walker added. "It is usually my policy to not negotiate probation for drug dealers. This is another example of that stance. "However, to avoid revealing the identity of the informant used, and the fact the weight of the cocaine was barely over 1 gram, we made the concession to make probation a possibility.

"We will see what the Court does at sentencing and will respect either outcome."

The Sparta Police Department handled the investigation in this matter.

People v. Jeremy S. Sewell:

On June 22, 35-year-old Jeremy S. Sewell, of High Ridge, Mo., pled guilty to the offenses of unlawful possession of methamphetamine and aggravated fleeing and eluding a police officer before Judge Brown.

Pursuant to the plea, Sewell was ordered to serve 90 days in jail, placed on probation for two years with a condition to seek alcohol and substance abuse counseling and pay a $500 drug assessment fee.

During the plea, Mr. Sewell admitted to possessing less than 5 grams of methamphetamine and accelerating the vehicle he was driving to over 21 miles over the posted speed limit while police officer was attempting to pull him over on April 26 while in Sparta.

"Mr. Sewell had no prior felony offenses and will have his driver's license revoked due to the aggravated fleeing charge," said Randolph County State's Attorney Jeremy Walker. "Considering that punishment, as well as 90 days in jail to reflect on his actions, I feel this is a fair disposition. "Mr. Sewell is now a convicted felon and will be on probation for two years," Walker said. "If he stays out of trouble, he will still be a convicted felon, but will not face additional punishment."

"If he does not stay out of trouble, we will monitor him and take appropriate actions to enhance the punishment," Walker added.

The Sparta Police Department handled the investigation in this matter.

Jason C. Nowotny:

On June 22, 29-year-old Jason C. Nowotny, of Chester, pled guilty to two counts of domestic battery before Judge Brown.

A felony charge of unlawful restraint was dismissed, pursuant to the plea, at the request of the complaining witness.

Nowotny admitted to being involved in an altercation with his girlfriend on two occasions, specifically February 1 in a previous case.

Pursuant to the terms of the plea, Nowotny was placed on two years of probation with a condition to seek mental health counseling and domestic violence counseling.

"The victim in the case was consulted and this is what she wanted to see happen," said Randolph County State's Attorney Jeremy Walker. "She did not want to see a felony conviction, only wanted to see the Defendant get help.

"This sentence does just that and I can only hope there are no further issues or problem."

"Now having two domestic batteries on his record, the Defendant would be in a precarious position if he comes back to court for another," Walker added.

The Sparta Police Department investigated the matter.

People v. Aaron M. Schwier:

On June 22, 2015, 20-year-old Aaron M. Schwier, of Chester, pled guilty to the offense of unlawful possession of methamphetamine before Judge Brown.

Pursuant to the plea, Schwier was placed on probation pursuant to the terms of the first offender act of the Methamphetamine Control Act. During the plea, Mr. Schwier admitted to possessing less than 5 grams of a substance containing methamphetamine on March 15 while in Chester.

"This would be another example of a young person making a poor decision that will hopefully not be repeated," said Randolph County State's Attorney Jeremy Walker. "Mr. Schwier will be given the chance to get substance abuse help and keep a felony off of his record.

"I sure hope he does both as no one in the system really enjoys seeing a young person get tagged with a felony conviction.

"I wish Mr. Schwier luck and hopes he runs with the chance he was given," added Walker.

The case was investigated by the Chester Police Department.

People v. Bonnie C. Dickenson:

On June 22, 21-year-old Bonnie C. Dickenson, of Chester, pled guilty to unlawful delivery of a controlled substance (heroin) before Judge Brown.

Pursuant to the terms of the plea, Dickenson was sentenced to four years in the Illinois Department of Corrections, with a recommendation to participate in the impact incarceration program, commonly referred to as boot camp.

During the plea, Dickenson admitted to selling heroin to a confidential informant in Chester on March 6. Furthermore, Dickenson was serving a period of probation under the first offender act when she committed this offense and such probation was terminated unsuccessfully, with a conviction being entered.

"This would be an example of someone getting a break the first time around and not doing what we expect or want," said Randolph County State's Attorney Jeremy Walker. "Additionally, this case reinforces my efforts to not offer probation to drug dealers.

"If you are convicted of selling drugs in this County, you will not be offered probation, without extenuating circumstances."

"Also, if you commit another crime while on probation, I do not believe in probation again," Walker added. "Most people deserve one break, very few get two. I hope the Defendant does well in the boot camp program in DOC.

"We typically do not see people back after the get a taste of corrections and successfully complete the strenuous boot camp program," added Walker.

The Chester Police Department handled the investigation in this matter.

People v. Brian L. Helvey:

On June 22, 34-year-old Brian L. Helvey, of Red Bud, pled guilty to the offense of aggravated domestic battery before Judge Brown.

No agreement was reached as to the sentence, and a sentencing hearing has been schedule for August 17. During the plea, Helvey admitted to restricting the airway of a family/household member in Red Bud on March 16.

A charge of possession of controlled substance was dismissed pursuant to the plea.

"The aggravated domestic battery charge is the more serious charge and carries a possible sentence of three-to-seven years in the Department of Corrections," Walker said. "The possession charge carried a possible sentence of one to three years."

"We will make an argument to the court as to why the Defendant should be sentenced to prison and I am confident the Defendant will be asking for probation," added Walker. "We will see what the court does and look forward to the sentencing hearing."

The Red Bud Police Department handled the investigation in this matter

People v. Adam L. Linton:

On June 24, 41-year-old Adam L. Linton, of Chester, pled guilty to the offense of unlawful purchase or acquisition of pseudoephedrine, a Class A misdemeanor.

A felony charge of unlawful possession of methamphetamine manufacturing material was dismissed, pursuant to the plea.

During the plea, Linton admitted to acquiring pseudoephedrine in an amount exceeding that set by law in Chester in July 2014.

"This was the last case I had regarding a very thorough and comprehensive methamphetamine investigation the Chester Police Department put together last year," said Randolph County State's Attorney Jeremy Walker. "Their efforts put several people in prison and several others on felony probation.

"Mr. Linton's case was the last standing, and quite frankly, the weakest case we had."

"Based on the strength of the case, which I knew when I filed it, I believe this was a proper way to end it," added Walker. "I really appreciate all of the effort the Chester Police Department put into this investigation.

"While this specific case did not yield much of a result, the work and efforts of this investigation certainly did and I feel, as a whole, a lot of good came from this work put in by the Chester Police Department."

People v. Charles T. Jackson

On June 24, 33-year-old Charles T. Jackson, of Chester, pled guilty to the offense of aggravated criminal sexual abuse before Judge Gross.

Pursuant to the plea, Jackson was sentenced to 54 months in the Illinois Department of Corrections and Jackson will have to register as a sexual predator the rest of his life.

A count of predatory criminal sexual abuse was dismissed pursuant to the plea. During the plea, Jackson admitted to having a victim under the age of 13 touch his penis at some time between December 2011 and June 2012 in Chester.

"This was a difficult case on many aspects," said Randolph County State's Attorney Jeremy Walker. "First, it was a serious allegation involving a young victim. Second, there was a two-year delay in report of the abuse to law enforcement.

"Third, we did not have a definite date as to when the abuse occurred. Nonetheless, we fought those obstacles to obtain a resolution our victim and her family were satisfied with."

"The mother and grandmother of the victim were both heavily involved in the decision to make a plea offer, and what the offer would be," added Walker. "I meet with victims and families in these types of cases throughout the course of the prosecution. When I first meet with them, I tell them I will listen to whatever disposition they want.

"I am not the one who will have to re-live these events, the victim does. While we do our best to protect the victim in court, many do not want to have to sit in the courtroom before a jury and rehash these events.

"Therefore, we take their desire heavily into consideration to resolve the case. I am happy to bring closure to the victim and her family, and with their input, resolve a case in a way they are as happy as you can be, given the fact they have to go through this to begin with.

"These cases are a tough spot for a prosecutor, if you go to trial and win, the sentence will typically be greater than at a plea.

"However, you have to balance that with the victim's desire to avoid going through a trial, as well as a prolonged delay in reporting makes physical evidence impossible to come by. This case is a classic example of those dilemmas."

The Chester Police Department handled the investigation in this matter.

People v. Billy J. Brehm:

On June 29, 33-year-old Billy J. Brehm, of Pinckneyville, was sentenced to three years in the Illinois Department of Correction by Judge Brown following a sentencing hearing.

Brehm had previously been placed on probation for the offense of forgery on June 23, 2014. However, Brehm violated the terms of his probation and was resentenced by the court on June 29, 2015.

"While I never take great delight in seeing someone shipped to Corrections, I am pleased to show people we take probation violations seriously," said Randolph County State's Attorney Jeremy Walker. "If you are offered help and do not take it, you will be punished. If you break the law while on probation, you will be punished."

"If we do not continuously fight to put probation violators in prison, I do not see any need to put someone on probation to begin with. Therefore, we argue for probation violators to go to prison to not only punish those in the case, but also to send a deterrence message to those on probation."

The Sparta Police Department originally investigated this matter, with the Randolph County Probation Department responsible for the investigation regarding the probation violations.

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