News

Randolph County State's Attorney court updates

Posted June 15, 2016 11:00 pm

By Staff Report

People v. Bradley L. Sronce

On June 2, 53-year-old Bradley L. Sronce, of Oakdale, pleaded guilty to the offense of possession of a stolen motor vehicle and was sentenced to three years in the Illinois Department of Corrections before Judge Richard A. Brown.

During the plea, Sronce admitted to possessing a vehicle he knew was stolen on May 1.

"It appears Mr. Sronce took off from South Dakota with a work truck and never returned with it," said Randolph County State's Attorney Jeremy Walker. "The truck and Mr. Sronce were located here in Randolph County and the vehicle was returned to the owner.

"However, Mr. Sronce has several prior DOC sentences and I did not feel probation was appropriate based on his prior history."

The Randolph County Sheriff's Office handled the investigation in this matter.

People v. Aaron E. Anna

On June 2, 41-year-old Aaron E. Anna, of Red Bud, pleaded guilty to an amended charge of possession of cannabis (Class A misdemeanor) before Judge Richard A. Brown and was fined $350 and ordered to pay an assessment of $1,000 to the Randolph County Drug Task Force.

Anna was originally charged with possessing more than 30, but less than 500 grams of cannabis, but admitted to possessing more than 10, but less than 30 grams of cannabis located during the execution of a search warrant on his residence near Red Bud on September 23, 2015.

"Our lab report verified the presence of 72 grams of cannabis," said Randolph County State's Attorney Jeremy Walker. "Given the relative low weight and lack of evidence the cannabis was produced for sale, this just did not seem as a case that warranted a felony conviction."

The Randolph County Sheriff's office led the investigation in this matter.

People v. Nichole L. Depper

On June 2, 42-year-old Nichole L. Depper, of Red Bud, was sentenced to the same outcome as her co-defendant, Aaron E. Anna.

People v. Sebastian T. Throop

On June 6, 25-year-old Sebastian T. Throop, of Ellis Grove, pleaded guilty to the offense of unlawful possession of a controlled substance (Class 4 felony) before Judge Richard A. Brown and was sentenced to two years of probation with a condition to seek alcohol/substance abuse treatment as directed by the probation department.

During the plea, Throop admitted to possessing less than 15 grams of hydrocodone in Chester on March 8.

"Mr. Throop was given first offender status on the probation and will be given the opportunity to avoid a felony conviction if he does not violate the law for the next two years, as well as get any and all treatment the probation department recommends for substance abuse issues," said Randolph County State's Attorney Jeremy Walker. "Cases involving painkillers are troublesome and typically, this is how someone gets addicted to opioids, which can lead to heroin addiction and all of the misery that entails."

The Chester Police Department invested this matter.

People v. Dalton J. McCormick

On June 6, 23-year-old Dalton J. McCormick, of Chester, pleaded guilty to the same set of facts and disposition as his co-defendant, Sebastian Throop.

People v. Dustin M. Jones

On June 6, 23-year-old Dustin M. Jones, of Chester, was sentenced to 180 days in jail and placed on probation for a period of two years following a sentencing hearing before Judge Richard A. Brown.

During the sentencing hearing, the state requested a term of five years in the Illinois Department of Corrections and the defendant requested a term of probation.

Jones had previously admitted to the offense of theft over $500 occurring in Chester on February 26, but the parties could not reach an agreement on the sentence.

"The pre-sentence investigation revealed the defendant had previously been to the Department of Corrections in the past and I generally do not agree to probation dispositions after someone has been to prison," said Randolph County State's Attorney Jeremy Walker. "I just do not see the deterrent effect in taking it easier on someone after they have been to prison."

The Chester Police Department handled the investigation in this matter.

People v. Robert A. Parker

On June 6, 53-year-old Robert A. Parker, of Chester, was sentenced to 30 months of probation by Judge Gene Gross and must remain in the Randolph County Jail until he is referred to residential treatment for substance abuse issues.

Parker had previously pleaded guilty to the offense of unlawful possession of methamphetamine (Class 3 felony) on April 21, but no agreement was reached on the sentence.

During the sentencing hearing, the state requested a sentence of three years in the Illinois Department of Corrections, while the defendant requested a term of probation.

"The pre-sentence report revealed Mr. Parker had two previous commitments to the Department of Corrections and had several opportunities to seek substance abuse treatment before catching this charge," said Randolph County State's Attorney Jeremy Walker. "For those reasons, I requested the commitment to IDOC.

"I, again, do not generally believe in probation after someone has been to prison. However, there are headwinds we face in these types of cases."

Walker noted that those "headwinds" are discussions regarding alleviating prison overcrowding by reducing prison time of individuals convicted of low-risk, non-violent offenses.

"There is a loud chorus of people lecturing prosecutors and judges to keep non-violent, drug offenders out of prison," Walker said. "I agree with that principal for the first time, and maybe a second time.

"However, I just do not buy into the school of thought someone should not go to prison when they continue to violate the law."

The Chester Police Department handled the investigation in this matter.

People v. Levonta T. Johnson

On June 7, the charge of robbery against 21-year-old Levonta T. Johnson, of Marion, was dismissed on the motion of the state.

"Two persons signed complaints and advised the police officers of Sparta Mr. Johnson had stolen items from them in Sparta on May 11, 2016," said Randolph County State's Attorney Jeremy Walker. "However, subsequent investigation revealed the alleged victims flat out lied about the allegation.

"Therefore, we dismissed the charge against Mr. Johnson and have filed felony charges against the two people who made the false report to the police."

People v. Jeffrey D. Faverty

On June 9, 54-year-old Jeffrey D. Faverty, of Percy, pleaded guilty to the offense of aggravated battery before Judge Richard A. Brown and was sentenced to two years of probation, with a condition to seek substance abuse and mental health treatment and serve 30 days in jail.

During the plea, Faverty admitted to striking a person over 60 years of age while in Percy on April 28.

"There was luckily no significant injury to the victim and the victim was consulted before any plea was taken in this matter," said Randolph County State's Attorney Jeremy Walker. "The victim and I agreed Mr. Faverty needed some help and that will be offered to him as a result of this sentence and we can only hope he is successful in his endeavors to improve himself."

The Percy Police Department investigated this matter.

People v. Carrie A. Emery

On June 9, Carrie A. Emery, 22 of Tilden, pleaded guilty to the offense of unlawful possession of a controlled Substance (Class 4 felony) before Judge Richard A. Brown and was sentenced to 90 days in jail and two years of probation with a condition to seek substance abuse treatment.

During the plea, Emery admitted to possessing less than 15 grams of heroin located during a traffic stop on April 23.

"Ms. Emery was granted probation under the first offender status (no prior criminal convictions) and hopefully will avoid a felony conviction by successfully completing the probation," said Randolph County State's Attorney Jeremy Walker. "Heroin addiction has to be beat, or two outcomes await you…prison or death."

The Tilden Police Department handled the investigation in this matter.

Article Categories
Crime News