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Randolph County state's attorney case updates

Posted September 11, 2015 11:00 pm

By Staff Report

People v. Kenneth C. Couch:

On August 24, 59-year-old Kenneth C. Couch, of Percy, pled guilty to the offense of unlawful possession of controlled substance (oxycodone) before the Honorable Richard A. Brown.

Pursuant to the terms of the negotiated plea, Mr. Couch was sentenced to a term of two years probation, with a condition to seek alcohol/substance abuse counseling, a drug assessment fee of $500 and a $25 per month probation service fee.

During the plea, Couch admitted to possessing less than 15 grams of oxycodone during a traffic stop effectuated by the Randolph County Sheriff's Office on March 16.

At the time of the arrest, Couch was on bond for a possession of controlled substance charge (hydrocodone), which was dismissed pursuant to the plea.

"Mr. Couch had not had a felony charge since 1979," said Randolph County State's Attorney Jeremy Walker. "Based on the lack of a felony criminal history, I did not see this as a prison case, even with the two charges pending at the same time.

"Accordingly, we dismissed a charge upon plea and get the same resolution if both cases had been fully prosecuted."

"I hope Mr. Couch takes the help offered to him," Walker continued. "If not, we will be here to adjust the punishment, which includes a prison sentence of 1-3 years."

The Randolph County Sheriff's Office investigated this matter.

Joseph L. Taitt:

On August 27, 18-year-old Joseph L. Taitt, of Chester, pled guilty to the offense of theft under $500 before Judge Brown.

Taitt was originally charged with theft over $500 (a felony), but the charge was reduced, per the plea agreement.

Taitt was sentenced to 90 days in the Randolph County Jail, two years of probation, with a condition to seek alcohol and substance abuse counseling and pay restitution to the victim.

During the plea, Taitt admitted to stealing coins from a Chester resident on June 30.

"The Defendant's age led me to believe I should proceed with a misdemeanor, as opposed to a felony," said Randolph County State's Attorney Jeremy Walker. "Additionally, spending 90 days in jail and taking a conviction for theft is a serious punishment.

"It is very difficult to explain to potential employers why they should hire you when you are a convicted thief. Nonetheless, you have to pay for your and own actions."

"As I always say, we remember who we give breaks to. If we never see them again, it was worth giving them a break," Walker continued. "If we see them again, I remember it when it comes to the punishment the next time around."

The Chester Police Department investigated this matter.

Matthew R. McKinley:

On September 3, 33-year-old Matthew R. McKinley, of Coulterville, was sentenced to four years in the Illinois Department of Corrections by Judge Richard A. Brown following a sentencing hearing.

McKinley had previously pled guilty to the offense of forgery on July 8. During the sentencing hearing, the State requested a sentence of four years in DOC and the Defendant requested a sentence of probation.

After the court pronounced sentence in this matter, the State moved to dismiss 15-CF-126 (possession of controlled substance - heroin).

"Mr. McKinley was arrested for the new case while he was awaiting sentence,"said Randolph County State's Attorney Jeremy Walker. "I don't think anyone can argue the Defendant is a drug addict.

"The Defendant recognized this fact during the sentencing hearing. However, this was not his first felony case, he was on probation at the time of the forgery conviction and it is imperative, in my opinion, you do not give repeat offenders probation."

"I advised the arresting agency before the sentencing hearing if the court gave the Defendant four years, I would dismiss the case," Walker continued. "The court gave me the time I requested and we pitched 15-CF-126.

"I do not believe the court would have given any additional time to the Defendant on the possession charge and I am pleased with the outcome."

The Randolph County Probation Department investigated the forgery charge and the Sparta Police Department investigated the heroin charge dismissed after sentencing.

Shawon Q. Jackson:

On September 3, 23-year-old Shawon Q. Jackson, of St. Paul, Minn., was sentenced to five years in the Illinois Department of Corrections by Judge Richard A. Brown following a sentencing hearing.

Jackson had previously pled guilty to delivering less than 1 gram of cocaine to a confidential informant in the City of Sparta on May 15, 2014.

During the sentencing hearing, both the State and Defendant recommended the five-year sentence, with a boot camp (impact incarceration) recommendation.

In addition to the prison sentence, the Defendant will have to pay the court costs and a $2,000 drug assessment fee.

"I am certainly pleased to get another prison sentence for a transactional drug offense," said Randolph County State's Attorney Jeremy Walker. "I do not know if it does any good to those in the drug culture that my office takes this stance, but I certainly feel the general public does.

"Drug dealers should not get probation, without exceptional circumstances. I appreciate the efforts of our local law enforcement in drug cases,"

The Sparta Police Department investigated this matter.

Tatum R. Walker:

On September 3, 35-year-old Tatum R. Walker, of Sparta, was sentenced to 18 months in the Department of Corrections following a sentencing hearing before Judge Richard A. Brown.

Walker had previously admitted to committing a retail theft at the Sparta Walmart on December 22, 2014.

During the sentencing hearing, the State requested three years in the Department of Corrections and the Defendant requested a term of probation.

"Ms. Walker previously did one year in corrections for retail theft," said Randolph County State's Attorney Jeremy Walker. "After her release, she admitted to stealing a $.99 cent lighter and was given probation.

"I just did not feel $.99 was worth a sentence to corrections for our taxpayers. However, she committed this felony while on probation for that offense and no matter the value, our businesses do not deserve to have these repeat offenders in their stores."

The Sparta Police Department investigated this matter.

Travis E. Everding:

On September 4, a charge of deceptive practice against 26-year-old Travis E. Everding, of Red Bud, was dismissed on Motion of the State.

"Mr. Everding allegedly wrote a bad check in Red Bud on August 7, 2014,"said Randolph County State's Attorney Jeremy Walker. "Mr. Everding claimed his ex-girlfriend wrote the check and provided some old checks with her signature and his signature to buttress his claim."

"Nonetheless, Mr. Everding agreed to participate in our bad check program," Walker continued. "Therefore, the amount of the check, plus a fee to the victim was received. Additionally, a fee to the State's Attorney's Bad Check Program was assessed."

David W. Stellhorn:

On September 4, 45-year-old David W. Stellhorn, of Red Bud, pled guilty to the offense of domestic battery before Judge Richard A. Brown.

Pursuant to the plea, Stellhorn was sentenced to 10 days in jail, placed on probation for two years with conditions to seek anger management, mental health and substance abuse counseling as directed by the probation department.

Additionally, two guns found at the time of the arrest of Stellhorn were forfeited to the Red Bud Police Department.

A charge of possession of firearm by felon was dismissed, per the plea agreement. During the plea, Stellhorn admitted to causing bodily harm to his then-girlfriend on February 28 in Red Bud.

"The victim of the domestic battery was consulted when we made the offer in this case and we were successful in obtaining the terms requested by the victim," said Randolph County State's Attorney Jeremy Walker. "I hope Mr. Stellhorn takes any help offered and needed in this matter and we never see him again in the criminal justice system."

The Red Bud Police Department handled the investigation in this matter.

Jerry L. Huskey, Jr.:

On September 4, 50-year-old Jerry L. Huskey, Jr., of O'Fallon, Mo., was sentenced to two years of probation, with a condition to seek alcohol and drug counseling, and fined $2,000 following a sentencing hearing before Judge Richard A. Brown.

Huskey had previously pled guilty to possessing methamphetamine on November 19, 2014 before Judge Brown, resulting from a traffic stop occurring on April 20, 2014 by officers of the Steeleville Police Department.

During the sentencing hearing, the State requested a prison sentence of four years and the Defendant requested the sentence of probation.

"Mr. Huskey had prior felonies in 2002 and 2003; however, did not have any significant history since that time," said Randolph County State's Attorney Jeremy Walker. "Additionally, the Defendant went through rehab and counseling since the date of his plea, which is reason it took so long to close the case.

"Nonetheless, the Defendant had been to prison in the past for similar conduct and I do not believe in giving probation for these types of repeat offenders."

The Steeleville Police Department investigated this matter.

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