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Randolph County State's Attorney Case Updates

Posted May 07, 2016 11:00 pm

By Staff Report

People v. Jamison R. Korando:

On April 18, 41-year-old Jamison R. Korando, of Chester, pleaded guilty to a felony offense of retail theft (Class 4 Felony) before Judge Richard A. Brown and was sentenced to 30 days in jail, two years of probation and to pay restitution of $41.99 to the victim.

During the negotiated plea, Korando admitted to stealing a bottle of Gentleman's Jack whiskey from a retailer in Chester on February 28 and having previously been convicted of retail theft.

"The prior retail theft conviction allowed us to enhance the charge to a felony, from what would otherwise be a misdemeanor offense," said Randolph County State's Attorney Jeremy Walker. "Mr. Korando has some prior criminal history, but I just could not see this as a case to send someone to prison for shoplifting a bottle of booze.

"Maybe I am wrong for that train of thought, but 30 days in jail seemed appropriate for the stupidity of Mr. Korando on February 28."

The Chester Police Department handled the investigation in this matter.

People v. Gregory Dudenbostel:

On April 18, 44-year-old Gregory Dudenbostel, of Steeleville, appeared before Judge Gene Gross on a Motion to Reconsider Sentence filed by the defendant.

Dudenbostel was previously sentenced by Judge Gross to two years in the Illinois Department of Corrections on December 17, 2015.

At the conclusion of the Motion to Reconsider, Judge Gross amended the sentence to a term of probation of 30 months, 180 days in jail (determined satisfied by the time in DOC) and the same restitution figure of $14,938.77 to the Monroe/Randolph County Transit District.

"In 13 years as an attorney I have never seen a Motion to Reconsider granted in a criminal or civil case, but it is always a possibility," said Randolph County State's Attorney Jeremy Walker. "Certainly, I was disappointed in the reduction in sentence, as was the victim in the case."

Walker noted that the probation time, plus the four months Dudenbostel had already spent in prison, would allow the state to seek additional prison time if any problems develop.

"Therefore, it really is the best of both worlds," Walker said. "Furthermore, Mr. Dudenbostel would have been released from DOC in the near future after receiving good conduct credits and could have been out as soon as the end of June.

"For those whom paid attention to a recent case involving a greater amount of money and aggravating factors (People v. Brewer), the presumption of probation is strong for a first time offender such as Mr. Dudenbostel."

People v. Robert Parker:

On April 21, 53-year-old Robert A. Parker, of Chester, pleaded guilty to the offense of unlawful possession of methamphetamine (Class 3 felony) before Judge Gross.

No agreement was reached on the sentence and a sentencing hearing was set for June 6 at 1 p.m.

During the plea, Parker admitted to possessing less than 5 gram of methamphetamine located during a traffic stop in Chester on March 12.

"Mr. Parker has a prior history and I will await the pre-sentence investigation before making any determination as to what sentence I will ask for," said Randolph County State's Attorney Jeremy Walker. "However, the charge carries up to five years in prison and when you see an open plea, it is typically because I have an idea of what I want to see happen, and the defendant does not."

The Chester Police Department handled the investigation in this matter.

People v. Terry A. Hobeck:

On April 21, 31-year-old Terry A. Hobeck, of Rockwood, pleaded guilty to the offense of unlawful possession of methamphetamine and was sentenced to two years of probation, with a condition to seek alcohol and substance abuse treatment.

During the negotiated plea, Hobeck admitted to possessing less than 5 grams of methamphetamine located during a traffic stop in Chester on March 12.

"According to the information I have, Mr. Hobeck had no prior felony history before this offense and was placed on the first offender status for probation," said Randolph County State's Attorney Jeremy Walker. "I hope Mr. Hobeck gets the help he needs and stays out of trouble for two years.

"If so, the felony will not follow him around the rest of his life."

The Chester Police Department handled the investigation into this matter.

People v. Tomarla D. Edgar:

On April 26, 39-year-old Tomarla D. Edgar, of Willisville, pleaded guilty to the offense of stalking (Class 4 felony) and was sentenced to nine months in jail, 30 months of probation with a condition to seek mental health treatment and was ordered to stay away from the victim in the case during the pendency of the probation.

During the plea, Edgar admitted to engaging in a course of conduct (sending threatening messages) that caused a co-worker to fear for his/her safety on June 29, 2015.

Pursuant to the plea, the State dismissed 15-CF-129, which was a charge of unlawful communication with a witness/witness harassment.

"The charge we dismissed was alleged contact Ms. Edgar made with the victim of the first case (15-CF-96) after she posted bond on that charge," said Randolph County State's Attorney Jeremy Walker. "Based on our knowledge, Ms. Edgar had no prior criminal history before this matter and literally spent nine months in jail after being arrested on the charge we ultimately dismissed.

"Based on those factors, I would only hope Ms. Edgar would leave this person alone and I hope we will never see her again."

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

People v. Dustin M. Jones:

On April 25, 23-year-old Dustin M. Jones, of Chester, pleaded guilty to the offense of theft over $500 (Class 3 felony) before Judge Richard A. Brown.

No agreement was reached as to the sentence and a sentencing hearing has been set on June 6 at 1 p.m.

During the plea, Jones admitted to exerting unauthorized control over a vehicle in Chester on February 26, having a value exceeding $500.

"I will await the pre-sentence report before making my mind up on a sentence," said Randolph County State's Attorney Jeremy Walker. "However, Mr. Jones has been to DOC in the past and an open plea is typically made when I have an idea as to a sentence and the Defendant has a different idea."

The Chester Police Department handled the investigation in this matter.

People v. Timmy B. Joiner:

On May 2, 53-year-old Timmy B. Joiner, of Sparta, was sentenced to six months in jail, ordered to pay a $2,500 fine, plus the court costs, pay $1,872.00 restitution to the last known victim and serve two years of probation following a sentencing hearing before Judge Richard A. Brown.

Joiner had previously pleaded guilty on June 25, 2014 to taking money from an organization for insurance, without obtaining the actual insurance, which constituted a Class 3 felony offense of theft over $500.

Evidence at the sentencing hearing indicated all known victims, being 16 different organizations/individuals totaling $18,623.75, had been fully restituted by Joiner shortly after the initial plea of guilty.

However, one victim has been sued and did not have insurance coverage as he thought due to Joiner's conduct.

The State requested a sentence of two years in DOC, while the defendant requested a term of probation.

"We still do not know what, if any, money may be owed by the final victim," said Randolph County State's Attorney Jeremy Walker. "The insurance coverage has provided coverage at this point, but the case was taken under what is called a Reservation of Rights, which means the insurance company has not 100 percent agreed to pay.

"Due to the fact we still had one victim 'in the wind,' we asked for two years in prison."

The Sparta Police Department handled the investigation into this matter.

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