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Randolph County State's Attorney Case Updates

Posted November 12, 2015 10:00 pm

By Staff Report

People v. Jeffery S. Voudrie:

On October 28, Jeffery S. Voudire, admitted to a probation violation and was sentenced to three years in the Illinois Department of Corrections before Judge Richard A. Brown.

During the admission, Voudire admitted to exerting unauthorized control over a vehicle in Chester on October 19. Voudrie was originally on probation for the offense of unlawful possession of methamphetamine.

"When someone is on probation we have the option of using a petition to revoke process to expedite matters," said Randolph County State's Attorney Jeremy Walker. "After someone is placed on probation, they no longer have the right to a jury trial in a probation revocation proceeding.

"Additionally, we do not have to prove the allegations beyond a reasonable doubt, as the process is considered civil and carries a civil burden of proof (preponderance of the evidence).

Walker said because of that, the prosecution was able to move much quicker on the case.

"We utilized that process to resolve the case in nine days, as opposed to weeks or months," he said. "Perhaps we could have obtained a little more if we went with the new charge as a standalone criminal proceeding, but three years seemed an appropriate punishment and we moved quickly to accomplish that."

The Chester Police Department handled the initial felony investigation and the probation violation, with the assistance of the Randolph County Sheriff's Office on the latter.

People v. Scott A. Schifferdecker:

On November 2, 39-year-old Scott A. Schifferdecker, of Chester, pleaded guilty to the offense of unlawful participation in methamphetamine production and was sentenced to six years in the Illinois Department of Corrections before Judge Brown.

During the plea, Schifferdecker admitted to participating in the production of more than 15 grams, but less than 100 grams, of methamphetamine in Chester on September 2.

Schifferdecker was originally charged with producing more than 400 grams, but less than 900 grams, of methamphetamine.

"The Chester Fire Department responded to a report of a fire and advised the police department of some suspicious materials where the fire was located," said Randolph County State's Attorney Jeremy Walker. "These materials ended up being an active meth lab. Due to the fact the meth was still in production, the weight of the product was a little bloated, as it was still in a liquid form."

The Chester Police Department, Chester Fire Department and Illinois State Police handled the investigation in this matter.

People v. Steven L. Moore:

On November 2, 20-year-old Steven L. Moore, of Steeleville, pleaded guilty to the offense of unlawful restraint and was sentenced to two years in the Illinois Department of Corrections by Judge Brown.

During the plea, Moore admitted to holding down a female victim on her bed in Steeleville during the month of August, 2015. A specific finding was made that the offense was sexually motivated, which will require Moore to register as a sex offender.

A misdemeanor charge of criminal sexual abuse was dismissed, per the plea agreement.

"It may sound like the more serious charge was dismissed, but the sex abuse case was only considered a misdemeanor," said Randolph County State's Attorney Jeremy Walker. "Additionally, that charge related to a different victim. The charge pleaded to by the defendant was the most severe charge we could bring and carried a maximum three-year sentence.

"Luckily, there was no sexual contact made during the incident, but it was definitely motivated by that purpose."

The Steeleville Police Department handled the investigation in this matter.

People v. Jeffrey W. Meyer:

On November 2, 51-year-old Jeffrey W. Meyer, of New Athens, pleaded guilty to the offense of driving while license revoked and was sentenced to 180 days in the county jail and placed on conditional discharge for a period of one year by Judge Brown.

During the plea, Meyer admitted to driving a motor vehicle in Ruma on April 3 at a time his driver's license was revoked because of a DUI conviction, and having previously been convicted of driving while license revoked.

"This was not the first time the defendant has been convicted of driving while revoked," said Randolph County State's Attorney Jeremy Walker. "However, it is his first felony conviction. I can only presume if he gets caught again, we will have to explore time in the Department of Corrections."

The Ruma Police Department handled the investigation in this matter.

People v. Joshua A. Ward:

On November 5, 30-year-old Joshua A. Ward, of Chester, pleaded guilty to the offense of unlawful possession of methamphetamine with intent to deliver and was sentenced to six years in the Illinois Department of Corrections by Judge Gene Gross.

During the plea, Ward admitted to possessing more than 5 grams, but less than 15 grams, of methamphetamine with the intent to deliver on July 21 in Chester.

The methamphetamine was located in a residence during the execution of a search warrant by the Chester Police Department and Randolph County Sheriff's Office.

"We felt six years was an appropriate sentence given the fact the meth was going to be sold and the fact the defendant was currently on probation for possession of methamphetamine," said Randolph County State's Attorney Jeremy Walker. "This was a good investigation put together by the Chester Police Department and they worked together with the Sheriff's Office."

The Chester Police Department handled the investigation, with assistance from the Randolph County Sheriff's Office.

People v. Shawn A. Smith:

On November 9, 30-year-old Shawn A. Smith, of Carbondale, pleaded guilty to the offense of unlawful possession of a controlled substance and was sentenced to two years in the Illinois Department of Corrections by Judge Brown.

During the plea, Smith admitted to possessing less than 15 grams of a substance containing heroin located during a traffic stop in Sparta on September 19.

"This was not the first felony for Mr. Smith and I did not feel another term of probation was the proper deterrent or mode of reforming the defendant," said Randolph County State's Attorney Jeremy Walker. "We are here to help with addiction issues, but at some point you draw the line and let some think about their issues in Corrections.

"The thought on this approach is to let them know there are consequences for continued violations of the law."

The Sparta Police Department handled the investigation in this matter.

People v. Chaz L. Burke:

On November 9, 28-year-old Chaz L. Burke, of Chester, pleaded guilty to the offense of unlawful delivery of methamphetamine and was sentenced to four years in the Illinois Department of Corrections by Judge Brown.

During the plea, Burke admitted to delivering less than 5 grams of methamphetamine in Chester on July 10.

"We had a little trouble with the recording equipment used in the delivery," said Randolph County State's Attorney Jeremy Walker. "While I believe we could have proved our case, it is more difficult without the 'candid camera' moment.

"Based on that, I had to give a little in this matter. I would have preferred a sentence of six-to-seven years, but when the video used in the buy malfunctioned, I decided to make a lesser offer to avoid having to identify the confidential informant."

The Chester Police Department led the investigation in this matter, with assistance from the Randolph County Sheriff's Office and Steeleville Police Department.

People v. Jimmy Jones:

On November 9, 40-year-old Jimmy Jones, of Waterloo, pleaded guilty to the offense of unlawful possession of a controlled substance and was sentenced to two years of probation with a condition to seek alcohol and substance abuse counseling before Judge Gross.

During the plea, Jones admitted to possessing less than 15 grams of hydrocodone located during a traffic stop originating in Ruma on July 10.

"It appears to be the first felony conviction for the defendant," said Randolph County State's Attorney Jeremy Walker. "Based on that information, this is an example of punishing someone by giving them a felony, but at the same time the object of the punishment is to help them with the addiction issues.

"I hope it works, if not, we have two years to increase the penalty and try it again."

The Ruma Police Department handled the investigation in this matter.

People v. Christopher M. Beasley:

On November 9, 29-year-old Christopher M. Beasley, of Percy, was sentenced to two years in the Illinois Department of Corrections by Judge Brown following a sentencing hearing.

During the hearing, the State requested a two-year prison sentence, while the defendant argued for probation.

Beasley had previously pleaded guilty to a felony offense of domestic battery occurring on August 1 in Percy.

"The pre-sentence report revealed the defendant had four (including this offense) convictions for domestic battery," said Randolph County State's Attorney Jeremy Walker. "Based on this history, I did not feel probation was adequate.

"Apparently the court agreed and we are happy with the outcome."

The Percy Police Department handled the investigation in this matter.

People v. Jace W. Easter:

On November 9, 24-year-old Jace W. Easter, of Red Bud, was sentenced to two years of conditional discharge and ordered to pay a $700 total fine and costs following a sentencing hearing before Judge Gross.

During the hearing, the State requested a term of imprisonment of three years, with a boot camp recommendation and the defendant requested probation.

Conditional discharge is non-reporting probation, which is the sentence given by the court. Easter previously pleaded guilty to possessing brass knuckles, after having previously being convicted of a felony, near Red Bud on March 9.

"The court did not feel a sentence to prison was necessary given the nature of the offense (possessing brass knuckles)," said Randolph County State's Attorney Jeremy Walker. "I guess I understand the logic, but the defendant has not completed probation in the past successfully and I typically do not extend offers of probation in that scenario.

"I wish Jace the best and I hope he stays out of trouble."

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

People v. Lindsey J. Alexander:

On November 12, 30-year-old Lindsey J. Alexander, of Carbondale, pleaded guilty to the offense of unlawful possession of controlled substance and was placed on two years of probation (first offender status) with a condition to seek alcohol/substance treatment.

She was sentenced to serve 180 days in the county jail by the Honorable Tom Cannady.

During the plea, Alexander admitted to possessing less than 15 grams of a substance containing heroin located during a traffic stop in Sparta on September 19.

"This is a classic case where first offender probation was appropriate," said Randolph County State's Attorney Jeremy Walker. "The criminal history information I had revealed no criminal history for this defendant.

"It appeared the heroin was for personal use. She will stay in jail for a few months and we will try to get her help."

The Sparta Police Department handled the investigation in this matter.

People v. Brandon M. Woods:

On November 12, 24-year-old Brandon M. Woods, of Chester pleaded guilty to the offense of theft over $500 and was sentenced to four years in the Illinois Department of Corrections by Judge Tom Cannady.

During the plea, Wood admitted to exerting unauthorized control over a vehicle in Chester on March 29.

"We are happy with a sentence to the Department of Corrections," said Randolph County State's Attorney Jeremy Walker. "Luckily, the vehicle was located and returned to the victim in this case.

"Mr. Woods had previously been sentenced to three years in DOC with a boot camp recommendation. The boot camp shortened his sentence considerably, so this sentence is not only longer, but boot camp will not be an option."

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