News

Randolph County State's Attorney Case Updates

Posted August 27, 2016 11:00 pm

By Staff Report

August Case Updates

People v. Christopher E. Gibson

On August 11, Christopher E. Gibson, 41 of Salem, pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of Deceptive practice (Class A misdemeanor) before Judge Gene Gross.

Pursuant to the negotiated plea, Gibson was ordered to pay $577.66 in restitution and $172.34 in court costs.

During the plea, Gibson admitted to passing a bad check to Chester Construction Supply on November 24, 2015. The charge was amended from a Class 4 felony to the misdemeanor charge to facilitate the plea.

"Mr. Gibson posted bond in the amount of $750 and we utilized all of that money to pay for the check and court costs," said Randolph County State's Attorney Jeremy Walker. "While passing a bad check is serious, with the lack of criminal history and the fact we could get the check paid with the bond posted and would not have to chase the defendant for the money, it seemed appropriate to reduce the charge."

People v. Tara L. Bruckerhoff

On August 11, 36-year-old Tara L. Bruckerhoff, of Perryville, Mo., pleaded guilty to possession of a look-alike substance (Class C misdemeanor) before Judge Gene Gross.

Pursuant to the plea, Bruckerhoff admitted to possessing a look-alike substance in Sparta on January 15, 2016. She was fined $500 and ordered to pay an assessment of $500 to the Sparta Police Department Drug Fund.

Bruckerhoff was originally charged with the offense of methamphetamine trafficking.

"The substance Ms. Bruckerhoff possessed and brought from out of state (which gave the basis for the methamphetamine trafficking charge) did not test positive for the presence of methamphetamine after it was sent to the (Illinois) State Police for verification," said Randolph County State's Attorney Jeremy Walker. "We had a run of this happening back in the winter, and this is the last case from that stretch.

"It is an unusual situation when the item tests positive for a controlled substance with what is referred to as a field test kit, but later tests negative by the Illinois State Police Lab. Without that final lab report, we cannot prove someone guilty of any drug-related offense."

The Sparta Police Department handled the investigation in this matter.

People v. John C. Payne

On August 15, 49-year-old John C. Payne, of Chester, pleaded guilty to the offense of residential burglary (Class 1 felony) before Judge Gene Gross and was sentenced to a term of two years of probation, with a condition to seek alcohol/substance abuse treatment, restitution to the victim and will remain incarcerated at the county jail until a bed for residential treatment becomes available. During the plea, Payne admitted to entering the residence in Chester on April 1 with the intent to commit a theft.

A misdemeanor charge of aggravated assault was dismissed pursuant to the plea.

"Typically, residential burglary carries a mandatory prison sentence," said Randolph County State's Attorney Jeremy Walker. "However, there is one narrow path for probation when someone has a drug problem and elects for what is called TASC probation.

"Mr. Payne met the requirements and elected for this type of probation. To qualify there has to be a lack of prior felony convictions and a drug/alcohol problem, verified by a counselor prior to the time of plea."

The Chester Police Department handled the investigation in this matter.

People v. Randal R. Ramsey

On August 15, 43-year-old Randal R. Ramsey, of Sparta, pleaded guilty to the offense of unlawful possession of methamphetamine (Class 3 felony) before Judge Gene Gross and was sentenced to two years of probation with a condition to seek alcohol/substance abuse treatment.

During the plea, Ramsey admitted to possessing less than 5 grams of methamphetamine in Sparta on October 20, 2015, located during a pedestrian encounter with the Sparta Police Department.

"Mr. Ramsey had one prior felony 11 years ago," said Randolph County State's Attorney Jeremy Walker. "Based on the relative lack of history, and the user amount of methamphetamine located, probation seemed to be an appropriate disposition."

The Sparta Police Department handled the investigation.

People v. James R. Vuichard

On August 16, 36-year-old James R. Vuichard, of Sparta, pleaded guilty to the offense of aggravated battery (Class 3 felony) before the Honorable Chris Kolker.

Pursuant to the terms of the plea, Vuichard was sentenced to 180 days in County Jail, two years of conditional discharge with a condition to seek anger management counseling and fined $1,000.

The charge was amended regarding the age of the victim, being under 18, to occurring on a public way, to facilitate the plea.

During the plea, Vuichard admitted to striking an individual on the buttocks with his hand and a shoe leaving bruising on January 31 in Sparta.

"This was an issue of parental discipline," said Randolph County State's Attorney Jeremy Walker. "It seemed excessive based on the photographs of the victim, but was not a situation where any permanent injury was experienced by the victim.

"The only reason it was a felony, originally, was due to the age of the victim."

The Sparta Police Department handled the investigation.

People v. Anthony S. Henry

On August 19, 35-year-old Anthony S. Henry was sentenced to two years in the Illinois Department of Corrections by the Honorable Richard A. Brown following a sentencing hearing.

Henry had previously pleaded guilty to the offense of aggravated battery arising from an incident occurring in Sparta on November 23, 2015.

During the sentencing hearing, the State requested a term of two years in DOC, while the defendant requested a term of probation.

"Mr. Henry is currently serving 12 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections for the offense of unlawful delivery of a controlled substance," said Randolph County State's Attorney Jeremy Walker. "Mr. Henry was released on bond before his sentencing hearing on the delivery charge.

"While Mr. Henry was on bond, he struck an employee of the Sparta VFW. There was no lasting injury to the worker, but I felt Mr. Henry needed to be punished for his conduct while on bond."

The Sparta Police Department handled the investigation in this matter.

People v. Angela J. Lehan

On August 22, 38-year-old Angela J. Lehan, of Baldwin, pleaded guilty to the offense of residential burglary (Class 1 felony) before Judge Richard A. Brown.

Pursuant to the plea, Lehan was sentenced to 120 days in jail and two years of probation, with a condition to seek alcohol and substance abuse counseling.

During the plea, Lehan admitted to entering a residence of another in Baldwin on June 7, with the intent to commit a theft.

"This disposition is very similar to Mr. Payne, in that there is a very narrow path for defendants to receive probation for a residential burglary," said Randolph County State's Attorney Jeremy Walker. "When a defendant is not carrying a prior felony record and has a verifiable drug problem which caused the criminal conduct, they can elect for TASC probation."

The Randolph County Sheriff's Office handled the investigation.

People v. Tiffany M. Cole

On August 25, 25-year-old Tiffany M. Cole, of Tilden, pleaded guilty to the offense of unlawful possession of methamphetamine (Class 3 felony) before Judge Richard A. Brown.

Pursuant to the negotiated plea, Cole was sentenced to 30 days in jail and two years of probation with a condition to seek alcohol and substance abuse counseling.

During the plea, Cole admitted to possessing less than 5 grams of methamphetamine located during a traffic stop on July 17.

"I hope Ms. Cole gets the help she needs during the next two years while she is on probation," said Randolph County State's Attorney Jeremy Walker. "We preach it all the time to people, if you don't kick your addiction you will either end up dead or in prison.

"I truly hope Ms. Cole ends up healthy and never gets in trouble again."

The Randolph County Sheriff's Office investigated this matter.

People v. Christy R. Monroe

On August 25, 40-year-old Christy R. Monroe, of Sparta, pleaded guilty to the offense of theft over $500 before Judge Richard A. Brown.

Pursuant to the negotiated plea, Monroe was sentenced to two years of conditional discharge and ordered to pay restitution to the victim.

During the plea, Monroe admitted to stealing approximately $1,500 from a family member in Sparta from February to April.

"The victim was consulted and indicated she only wanted the money paid back to her," said Randolph County State's Attorney Jeremy Walker. "We accomplished that goal as full restitution was ordered as part of the disposition."

The Sparta Police Department handled the investigation.

People v. Trevonta D. Nicholson

On August 25, 22-year-old Trevonta D. Nicholson, of Sparta, was sentenced to six years in the Illinois Department of Corrections following a sentencing hearing before Judge Richard A. Brown.

Nicholson had previously pleaded guilty to the offense of burglary stemming from an incident occurring in Sparta on May 3.

During the sentencing hearing, the defendant requested a term of three years in the Department of Corrections, while the State requested a six-year sentence to DOC.

"Mr. Nicholson had a previous burglary conviction in St. Clair County in 2012," said Randolph County State's Attorney Jeremy Walker. "Based on that fact, probation was not an option so we were left to argue about time in corrections.

"We argued for six years due to the fact at some point you have to look at the protection of the public, versus restoring the offender to useful citizenship. If you continue to steal from people, the penalty, in our opinion, should go up each time."

The Sparta Police Department handled the investigation.

People v. Kaleb W. Slaven

On August 26, 31-year-old Kaleb W. Slaven, of Sparta, pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of resisting a peace officer (Class A misdemeanor) before Judge Gene Gross.

Slaven was originally charged with obstructing justice (Class 4 felony), but the charge was amended to facilitate the plea.

Slaven admitted to obstructing the performance of a police officer near Walsh on August 2, 2015 during the execution of a search warrant.

"Mr. Slaven spent a considerable amount of time in custody on this charge as he could not make bail," said Randolph County State's Attorney Jeremy Walker. "Based on the time spent in custody and the minimal obstruction to our police officer on August 2, 2015, we felt a misdemeanor conviction was the appropriate disposition, as opposed to a felony conviction.

"As I state time after time, when the police are there, even if you disagree with why they are there, or what they are doing, if you resist, obstruct or fight with the cops, things are only going to get worse."

The Randolph County Sheriff's Office investigated this matter.

Article Categories
News