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Randolph County State's Attorney case updates

Posted August 29, 2015 11:00 pm

By Staff Report

People v. Courtney L. Ray:

On August 13, 19-year-old Courtney L. Ray, of Evansville, pled guilty to the offense of residential burglary before the Honorable Gene Gross.

Pursuant to the negotiated plea, Ray was sentenced to seven years in the Illinois Department of Corrections and was further ordered to pay restitution to the victim in the case in the amount of $500.

During the plea, Ray admitted to entering a home in the Walsh area on April 15 with the intent to commit a theft.

Upon Ray's release from Corrections, she will have to complete a term of two years of supervised release, commonly known as parole.

"While relatively young, this is Ms. Ray's second trip to corrections," said Randolph County State's Attorney Jeremy Walker. "It is very unfortunate to see someone at that age sent to DOC for that long, but it is also unfortunate for our victim to have her home burglarized."

"Entering a person's home violates your sense of safety and while it may be labeled as a property crime, I consider it very personal and treat these offenses with the utmost of severity," Walker said. "The victim was contacted and satisfied with the disposition. I only hope this is it for Ms. Ray. If not, the next time will be a double digit sentence."

The Randolph County Sheriff's Office handled the investigation, with numerous agencies assisting.

People v. Jimmy L. Richeson:

On August 14, the charge of failure to register (sex offender registration) was dismissed.

"I received documents from the Federal Bureau of Prisons indicating Mr. Richeson was recently sentenced to a prison sentence in the federal system which will keep Mr. Richeson incarcerated until June 11, 2020," said Randolph County State's Attorney Jeremy Walker. "The case we dismissed could not have kept Mr. Richeson in prison for anywhere near that length; therefore, I chose to dismiss.

"I feel justice is served with him being in federal prison until 2020."

A person v. Jessica L. Morganthaler:

On August 13, 2015, 35-year-old Jessica L. Morganthaler, of Creve Coeur, Mo., pled guilty to the offense of telephone harassment and was placed on court supervision for a period of one year, with a provision to not have any contact with the complaining witness, before Judge Gross.

The Defendant admitted to sending harassing text messages to another person in April 2013.

A felony charge of Harassment of a Witness was dismissed pursuant to the plea.

"We have had two years of no contact with our victim in this case and another year will be certain with the plea," said Randolph County State's Attorney Jeremy Walker. "It appears everyone has moved on in this matter and I only hope there are no further problems or contact.

"If so, we will be happy to file another case and start over. I will also be equally happy to never see the Defendant in court again and hope this is the end of it."

The Randolph County Sheriff's Office investigated this matter.

People v. Brian L. Helvey:

On August 17, 2015, 35-year-old Brian L. Helvey, of Red Bud, was sentenced to 180 days in the Randolph County Jail and placed on probation for a period of two years by the Honorable Richard Brown, following a sentencing hearing.

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

Helvey had previously pled guilty to the offense of Aggravated Domestic Battery on June 22 regarding an incident occurring in Red Bud on March 16.

"I had an uncooperative victim," said Randolph County State's Attorney Jeremy Walker. "However, based on the work of the Red Bud Police Department we were able to still prosecute this matter due to a video taken of the victim the night of the incident."

"When we have a video statement, even when a victim becomes uncooperative, we can still prove the case," Walker added. "At sentencing, the victim testified for the Defendant and advised the Court she did not want to see him sent to prison.

"Based on the nature of the case (choking) and the fact the Defendant had a prior felony conviction in 2009, I felt a prison sentence was justified."

"Nonetheless, with the victim testifying for the Defendant, I can understand the Court's decision," Walker continued. "I may not agree with it, but I understand it. Also, the Defendant will be on probation for two years after his release from custody and will be monitored by the Probation Department."

The Red Bud Police Department investigated this matter.

People v. Jared L. Anders:

On August 17, 19-year-old Jared L. Anders, of E. St. Louis, was sentenced to 180 days in the Randolph County Jail and placed on probation for a period of two years by the Honorable Richard Brown, following a sentencing hearing.

During the sentencing hearing, the State requested a four-year prison sentence with a recommendation for the Impact Incarceration Program (boot camp) and the Defendant requested a term of probation.

Anders had previously pled guilty on June 22 to delivering less than 1 gram of cocaine to a confidential informant in Sparta on July 22, 2014.

"I asked for a prison sentence as I do not usually agree to give drug dealers, especially cocaine, meth or heroin, probation," said Randolph County State's Attorney Jeremy Walker. "This was the Defendant's first felony conviction; he had a young child and is only 19 years of age."

"Given these factors, I can understand the Court's sentence," Walker added. "However, this follows my fairly strict policy of not offering probation to drug dealers."

"They may get probation, but it will not be by agreement with this office."

"Nonetheless, Mr. Anders will have plenty of time to reflect on his actions while in custody and will be on probation for two years," Walker continued. "If there are any probation violations, we will vigorously seek a prison sentence between four to 15 years (the possible penalty for the crime).

"Even though I argued for a different outcome, I do hope Mr. Anders learned his lesson and we do not see him again."

The Sparta Police Department investigated this matter.

People v. Joshua A. Heath:

On August 20, 26-year-old Joshua A. Heath, of Red Bud, pled guilty to a misdemeanor offense of theft and was sentenced to two years of probation, ordered to make restitution and must remain in the Randolph County Jail until undergoing substance abuse and mental health evaluations and counseling, by Judge Gene Gross.

A felony charge of possession of a stolen vehicle and a misdemeanor charge of domestic battery were dismissed, per the plea agreement.

Heath has been in jail since July 1, 2015 and, as stated above will remain in jail, for the foreseeable future to undergo these evaluations.

During the plea, Heath admitted to taking a 1992 Toyota Corolla without the consent of the owner on June 14 in Red Bud.

"This was the Defendant's first felony charge and it appeared he has some substance abuse and mental health issues," said Randolph County State's Attorney Jeremy Walker. "This is an example of us being here to not only punish, but also help."

"I truly believe without these issues, the Defendant would not be in jail today," Walker said. "Hopefully this sentence will alleviate these issues and the Defendant can get back to a productive life.

"If not, a break has been given, and we don't usually do that twice."

The Red Bud Police Department investigated this matter.

Destiny Hesse:

On August 20, 26-year-old Destiny A. Hesse, of Tilden, pled guilty to the misdemeanor offense of battery before Judge Gross.

A felony offense of criminal trespass to a residence was dismissed pursuant to the plea. Hesse was sentenced to five days in jail, ordered to pay a fine of $500 and placed on probation for two years, with a condition to seek alcohol and substance abuse counseling, as well as have no contact with the complaining witness.

Hesse admitted to hitting another person in Tilden on May 22 without legal justification.

"I came out the gate with a felony to try to impress on the Defendant the seriousness of her actions," said Randolph County State's Attorney Jeremy Walker. "As a prosecutor, you sometimes start off aggressive with a case to try to 'wake up' the Defendant. This is an example of that logic."

"Most of the time you know what you want out of a case at the beginning," Walker said. "Sometimes you start right where you want to be with a charge, sometime you go a little above where you want to be at the end to try to leave an impression.

"In this case, we made it all summer without any problems and feel the probation will help rectify any problems the Defendant may have with alcohol or other issues."

The Tilden Police Department investigated this matter.

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