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Randolph County State's Attorney Case Updates

Posted October 30, 2015 11:00 pm

By Staff Report

Final case resolutions for October

People v. Justin Pim:

On October 15, 39-year-old Justin Pim, of Marissa, pleaded guilty to the offense of theft under $500 (Class A misdemeanor) before the Honorable Richard A. Brown.

Pim was originally charged with the felony offense of unlawful possession of a stolen vehicle, which was dismissed to facilitate the plea.

Pursuant to the plea agreement, Pim was ordered to pay a $2,500 total fine/cost, restitution to Progressive Insurance and placed on one-year conditional discharge.

During the plea, Pim admitted to exerting unauthorized control over a vehicle in Tilden on October 7, 2014.

"Mr. Pim was stopped by a sheriff's deputy and the vehicle he was driving ended up coming back as a stolen vehicle," said Randolph County State's Attorney Jeremy Walker. "We had no evidence Mr. Pim stole the vehicle, but he was driving it.

"With a lack of criminal history, the fact he was convicted of theft and ordered to pay the insurance company whom originally paid off on the insurance claim, it seemed like the correct way to proceed."

The Randolph County Sheriff's Department investigated the matter.

People v. Gregory N. Dudenbostel:

On October 19, 44-year-old Gregory N. Dudenbostel, of Steeleville, pleaded guilty to the offense of theft over $500 (Class 3 felony) before the Honorable Gene Gross.

No agreement was reached as to the sentence, and a sentencing hearing has been scheduled for December 14 at 1 p.m.

Dudenbostel was originally charged with theft over $10,000, but less than $100,000. During the plea, Dudenbostel admitted to exerting unauthorized control over property of the Monroe Randolph Transit District between January 1, 2014 and September 22, 2014.

"I met with representatives of the transit district on several occasions and had their full support with our course of action," said Randolph County State's Attorney Jeremy Walker. "Just because we lower the amount charged, does not preclude us from seeking full restitution, which may be in excess of $10,000.

"Additionally, we are still seeking a prison sentence, which was not guaranteed with the original charge. We gave up some years on the top end of the spectrum, but we never were seeking a maximum sentence."

Walker added that probation is a possibility with the current charge, but he feels a prison sentence is appropriate.

"My opinion, and that shared by the victim, is a prison sentence of some degree is necessary to show the severity of the conduct, with full restitution," he said. "The quicker the defendant gets out, the quicker money is paid back."

The Sparta Police Department investigated the matter.

People v. Michael W. Reed:

On October 19, 40-year-old Michael W. Reed, of Perryville, Mo., pleaded guilty to the offense of aggravated criminal sexual abuse (Class 2 felony) before Judge Gene Gross.

No agreement was reached as to the sentence, and the matter was set for a sentencing hearing on December 17 at 1 p.m. During the plea, Reed admitted to committing an act of sexual conduct, touching the vagina with his finger, of a victim under the age of 13, between January 1, 2006 and December 31, 2008 in Chester.

One count of predatory criminal sexual assault was dismissed pursuant to the plea.

"Our victim was 100 percent behind the plea in this matter," said Randolph County State's Attorney Jeremy Walker. "We had a seven-year delay in report. No physical evidence to support the allegation and we could not pinpoint the date of the alleged conduct, other than a time period when the victim was living in Chester.

"The count dismissed was a mandatory prison sentence, but we are placing our faith in the judicial system the defendant will receive a prison sentence and will be arguing for such on December 17."

The Chester Police Department handled the investigation in this matter.

People v. Gerald A. Parker:

On October 19, 44-year-old Gerald A. Parker, of Sparta, pleaded guilty to the offense of unlawful possession of controlled substance (Class 4 felony) and was sentenced to one year in the Illinois Department of Corrections by Judge Gross.

Pursuant to the negotiated plea, the State agreed to not enhance a pending misdemeanor driving on revoked charge.

During the plea, Parker admitted to possessing less than 15 grams of hydrocodone on August 8 while in Sparta.

"Mr. Parker had a prior driving on revoked felony charge," said Randolph County State's Attorney Jeremy Walker. "Based on the fact he previously had probation, I was interested in a prison sentence.

"That being said, it made no difference to me on what charge it was on; therefore, we sent him on the pending felony and did not enhance (and ultimately dismissed) the revoked charge. While we typically do not send persons to corrections for simple possession, this seemed appropriate in this case."

The Sparta Police Department handled the investigation in this matter.

People v. Gregory S. Partin:

Gregory S. Partin, 35, of Chester, pleaded guilty to the offense of unlawful delivery of methamphetamine (Class 2 felony) before Judge Gross.

No agreement was reached as to the sentence, and the matter has been set for a sentencing hearing on December 14 at 1 p.m.

During the plea, Partin admitted to selling less than 5 grams of methamphetamine to a confidential informant on June 16 while in Chester.

A second count of the same offense was dismissed.

"We will be seeking a prison sentence as the defendant has admitted to selling meth," said Randolph County State's Attorney Jeremy Walker. "I do not agree with probation outcomes in delivery cases, but it is a possible penalty.

"The second count would not have increased the possible penalty and was also eligible for probation. We will make our case to the judge on December 14 as to why the defendant should be sent to corrections and look forward the hearing."

The Chester Police Department handled the investigation.

People v. John W. Wiley:

On October 22, 30-year-old John W. Wiley, of Sparta, pleaded guilty to the offense of aggravated battery (Class 2 felony) before Judge Gross.

Pursuant to the negotiated plea, Wiley was sentenced to 116 days in Randolph County Jail, two years of probation with a condition to seek alcohol/substance abuse counseling and will have to pay restitution to the County of Randolph for any damages.

A second count of the same charge (aggravated battery) was dismissed to facilitate the plea.

During the plea, Wiley admitted to kicking a Randolph County Sheriff's deputy during the defendant's arrest on August 26.

"The officers involved were satisfied with the punishment in this matter," said Randolph County State's Attorney Jeremy Walker. "Additionally, there was no significant injury to either officer and the defendant is on probation for a Class 2 felony."

"Provided the defendant does not comply with his probation, he faces three-to-seven years in prison," Walker added. "The second count would not have increased the possibly penalty and therefore we dismissed that charge."

People v. Brandy J. Cavanaugh:

On October 22, 39-year-old Brandy J. Cavanaugh, of Sparta, pleaded guilty to an amended charge of possession of controlled substance (Class 4 felony) before Judge Gene Gross.

No agreement was reached as to the sentence and the matter is set for a sentencing hearing on December 21 at 1 p.m. Cavanaugh was originally charged with possession with intent to deliver.

During the plea, Cavanaugh admitted to possessing less than 15 grams of cocaine found in a residence in Sparta on September 25, 2014 during the execution of a search warrant.

"A co-defendant, whom I believe was the real problem in this case, was already sent to prison over this matter,"said Randolph County State's Attorney Jeremy Walker. "Ms. Cavanaugh is what you could call 'collateral damage' as she was there when we executed the search warrant and cocaine was found in plain view of her.

"Due to the fact the other individual has been dealt with in what we considered an appropriate matter, we amended the charge down. That being said, the sentence will be up to the court, but typically we try to help people with simple possession charges."

The Sparta Police Department handled the investigation in this matter.

People v. Sandra M. Campbell:

On October 23, 49-year-old Sandra M. Campbell, of Chester, pleaded guilty to the offense of domestic battery (Class 4 felony) before Judge Gross.

Campbell was sentenced to 60 days in Randolph County Jail and placed on probation for a period of two years, with conditions to seek alcohol/substance abuse, mental health and anger management counseling.

Campbell admitted to striking her husband in the face on September 5 in an altercation occurring in Chester. The charge was enhanced to a Class 4 Felony due to the fact the defendant had a prior domestic battery conviction.

"This was the third time Ms. Campbell was arrested and pleaded guilty to domestic battery charges this year," said Randolph County State's Attorney Jeremy Walker. "Due to this history, I felt it was necessary to obtain a felony conviction.

"If there are further problems, I can only surmise a trip to corrections would be the appropriate punishment."

The Chester Police Department handled the investigation in this matter.

People v. Justin L. Dugan:

On October 23, 26-year-old Justin L. Dugan, of Madison, pleaded guilty to an amended charge of theft under $500 (enhanced to Class 4 felony) and was sentenced to one year probation with a condition to seek alcohol/substance abuse counseling.

A hearing regarding the amount of restitution payable to the victim of the theft has been set for November 23 at 1 p.m. The charge was amended from theft over $500 to facilitate the plea.

During the plea, Dugan admitted to obtaining control of property of a local business in a fashion that would lead a reasonable person to believe it was stolen on February 3, 2014.

"The victim was contacted and consented to a term of probation as the appropriate sentence," said Randolph County State's Attorney Jeremy Walker. "Given the fact the defendant had no prior felony convictions, I agreed it was a proper sentence.

"Even though the charge was lowered, we are still able to ask for and prove restitution in an amount over $500."

The Randolph County Sheriff's Office investigated this matter.

People v. Alex B. Young:

On October 28, 25-year-old Alex B. Young, of Chester, pleaded guilty to the offense of unlawful possession of methamphetamine (Class 3 felony) before Judge Gene Gross.

No agreement was reached as to the sentence, and a sentencing hearing has been scheduled for December 3 at 1 p.m.

Pursuant to the plea, a misdemeanor charge of possession of a hypodermic syringe was dismissed.

During the plea, Young admitted to possessing less than 5 grams of methamphetamine located during a traffic stop on February 18 in Chester.

"The court will order what is called a pre-sentence investigation in this matter (as well as in any case where we cannot reach an agreement on sentence) and based on that report, I will argue for what I feel is the appropriate sentence," said Randolph County State's Attorney Jeremy Walker. "This document includes history regarding prior criminal history and substance abuse issues."

"Typically, we try to help people suffering from addiction," Walker added. "However, if the pre-sentence reports shows they already had an opportunity to get help and have prior criminal history I take a different approach."

The Chester Police Department handled the investigation in this matter.

People v. Robert L. Sommer:

On October 28, 52-year-old Robert L. Sommer, of Baldwin, pleaded guilty to the offense of driving while license revoked (Class 4 felony) before Judge Brown.

No agreement was reached as to the sentence and a sentencing hearing has been set for December 17 at 1 p.m.

During the plea, Sommer admitted to driving an automobile in Baldwin on November 21, 2014 at a time when his driver's license was revoked because of a DUI conviction.

Sommer had previously been caught five other times driving without a driver's license due to DUI.

A second charge of driving while license revoked was dismissed at the time of plea.

"I feel I have no choice but to ask for a DOC sentence as the defendant has previously been to DOC for this offense," said Randolph County State's Attorney Jeremy Walker. "I do not believe in probation for habitual offenders.

"The charge dismissed was the same classification of felony and I do not believe the court would have increased the penalty for the defendant for the second offense."

Walker said regardless of the court's decision, Sommer will have to serve a minimum of 180 days in custody without day-for-day consideration.

The Baldwin Police Department handled the investigation in this matter.

Brian L. Johnsey:

On October 29, 23-year-old Brian L. Johnsey, of Oakdale, pleaded guilty to the offense of unlawful possession of controlled substance (Class 4 felony) before Judge Brown.

Pursuant to the plea, Johnsey was sentenced to two years of probation, ordered to seek alcohol/substance abuse counseling and treatment and 60 days in the Randolph County Jail.

During the plea, Johnsey admitted to possessing less than 15 grams of cocaine in Steeleville on September 10.

"This appears to be the first felony for the defendant," said Randolph County State's Attorney Jeremy Walker. "Due to the lack of history and the fact it was a simple possession case, we will try to help the defendant with the term of probation and make resources available to him to help with his issues.

If the defendant chooses to do so, great. If not, we will be here to increase the penalty."

The Steeleville Police Department handled the investigation.

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