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Randolph County state's attorney case updates

Posted October 06, 2015 11:00 pm

Staff Report

People v. Robert L. James:

On September 10, Robert L. James, 38, of Desoto, Mo., pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of fleeing/eluding a police officer before the Honorable Tom Cannady.

James was originally charged with aggravated fleeing/eluding a police officer (driving 21 miles per hour over the speed limit).

However, the charge was amended to facilitate the plea. James was ordered to pay a $1,000 total fine/costs, placed on probation for two years and mandated to complete alcohol/substance abuse counseling.

Another consequence of the plea will be the suspension of the driver's license. During the plea, James admitted to failing to obey a visual or audible signal to pull over for a police vehicle in Chester on March 25.

"Mr. James did not have any prior felony convictions, will lose his driver's license and be required to seek alcohol and substance abuse treatment," said Randolph County State's Attorney Jeremy Walker. "I felt those conditions and consequences were an adequate punishment."

The Chester Police Department handled the investigation in this matter.

People v. Kendra A. Williams:

On September 17, Kendra A. Williams, 21, of Percy, pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of criminal trespass to a residence (a Class A Misdemeanor) before the Honorable Gene Gross.

Pursuant to the negotiated plea, Williams was ordered to pay a $1,000 total fine/costs and was placed on court supervision for a period of two years.

Williams was originally charged with the same offense, but an additional allegation of knowing someone was present in the residence was stricken from the charging document, which lowered the charge from a felony (Class 4) to the misdemeanor.

During the plea, Williams admitted to entering a residence in rural Steeleville on July 25 without permission.

"Prior to this incident, Ms. Williams had no prior criminal history," said Randolph County State's Attorney Jeremy Walker. "The victim in the case was contacted and felt a misdemeanor charge, as opposed to a felony, was an appropriate disposition and we proceeded accordingly."

The Randolph County Sheriff's Office investigated this matter.

People v. Christine Johnson (AKA Cantrall):

On September 21, Christine M. Johnson (AKA Cantrall), 45, of Sparta, pleaded guilty to the offense of retail theft and was sentenced to two years in the Illinois Department of Corrections before Judge Gene Gross.

During the negotiated plea, Johnson admitted to stealing items from the Sparta Walmart on May 15.

"Ms. Johnson has a trouble with stealing," said Randolph County State's Attorney Jeremy Walker. "Ms. Johnson was on probation for retail theft when she committed this offense and was due to be sentenced on a probation violation a few days before this offense happened.

"Ms. Johnson was sentenced to prison on the probation violation and now this offense. I can only hope she has learned her lesson."

The Sparta Police Department handled the investigation in this matter.

People v. Blake D. Kueker:

On September 23, Blake D. Kueker, 20, of Red Bud, pleaded guilty to the offense of possession of a stolen vehicle before Judge Gross.

Kueker was sentenced to two years of probation with conditions to seek alcohol/substance abuse counseling, mental health evaluation and treatment and serve 100 days in the Randolph County Jail.

During the negotiated plea, Kueker admitted to possessing a vehicle he knew was stolen (from rural Red Bud) on August 1.

"Mr. Kueker was on probation for a misdemeanor, so I did not see this as a case to reduce down," said Randolph County State's Attorney Jeremy Walker. "Unfortunately, Mr. Kueker has made some mistakes early in his life and now is carrying a felony conviction.

"However, the probation will provide Blake the opportunity to root out the problems causing his behavior. If it works, we have done our job of reforming someone."

The Randolph County Sheriff's Office handled the investigation in this matter.

Christopher M. Beasley:

On September 23, Christopher M. Beasley, 28, of Percy, pleaded guilty to a felony offense of domestic battery before Judge Richard A. Brown.

No agreement was reached in the matter and a sentencing hearing has been scheduled for November 9 at 1 p.m.

During the plea, Beasley admitted to striking his girlfriend in the face and having been previously convicted of domestic battery. Due to the prior conviction, the case was enhanced to a felony by the State.

"I will have to review the pre-sentence report, which is a detailed report regarding a Defendant's background generated before a sentencing hearing, before I make any final decisions on what to request," said Randolph County State's Attorney Jeremy Walker. "But myself and the victim believe a sentence to the Department of Corrections is warranted."

The Percy Police Department handled the investigation in this matter.

People v. Lisa M. Boswell:

On September 24, Lisa M. Boswell, 44, of Steeleville, pleaded guilty to the reduced charge of battery (Class A misdemeanor) before Judge Gene Gross.

Pursuant to the plea, a felony charge of aggravated battery was reduced and Boswell was ordered to pay a $500 total fine/costs, placed on conditional discharge for one year and serve five days in Randolph County Jail.

During the plea, Boswell admitted to placing her hands on a victim in an offensive matter (grabbing the shoulder and shoving the victim) on September 3 in Steeleville.

"Ms. Boswell put her hands on a police officer, which made the simple battery a felony offense," said Randolph County State's Attorney Jeremy Walker. "I spoke with the officer involved and he was on board with a misdemeanor, as opposed to a felony.

"Ms. Boswell did not have any prior felony convictions and the officer was not injured."

The Steeleville Police Department handled the investigation in this matter.

People v. Elizabeth Baker:

On September 28, Elizabeth Baker, 32, of Tilden, pleaded guilty to a felony offense of retail theft before Judge Brown.

No agreement was reached as to the sentence, and a sentencing hearing has been scheduled for November 9 at 1 p.m.

During the plea, Baker admitted to stealing items from the Walmart in Sparta on March 30, after having been previously convicted of the offense of retail theft.

"Based on the information I have, Baker has been to DOC before for retail theft," said Randolph County State's Attorney Jeremy Walker. "I don't see any reason she should not go back after committing another offense.

"However, we will see what the pre-sentence report shows and make our argument to the Court on November 9."

The Sparta Police Department handled the investigation in this matter.

Eric A. Thies:

On September 28, Eric A. Thies, 36, of Sparta, pleaded guilty to the offense of unlawful possession of methamphetamine before Judge Richard A. Brown.

Pursuant to the negotiated plea, Thies was sentenced to two years of first offender probation, with a condition to seek alcohol/substance abuse counseling and pay a $500 drug assessment fee.

During the plea, Thies admitted to possessing a small amount of methamphetamine located during a traffic stop in Sparta on April 5.

A second count of possession of controlled substance (morphine) was dismissed, per the plea agreement.

"All of the items located were from the same traffic stop and the controlled substance charge was a lower classification of felony than the charge pled to by the Defendant," said Randolph County State's Attorney Jeremy Walker. "I did not locate any prior felony history regarding the Defendant and this is a classic case, in my opinion, for first offender probation."

The Sparta Police Department handled the investigation in this matter.

Teresa J. Conway:

On September 28, Teresa J. Conway, 35, of Coulterville, pleaded guilty to the offense of possession of controlled substance before Judge Richard A. Brown.

No agreement was reached as to the sentence and the matter has been set for a sentencing hearing on November 12 at 1 p.m.

During the plea, Conway admitted to possessing oxycodone on April 13 that was located during a traffic stop in Evansville by a sheriff's deputy.

"Ms. Conway was on bond for another charge of possession of controlled substance when this offense happened,"said Randolph County State's Attorney Jeremy Walker. "The prior case was also what we call an 'open plea' and Ms. Conway successfully argued for probation over my objection.

"I will try it again and see if I can obtain a different outcome."

The Randolph County Sheriff's Office handled the investigation in this matter.

Quiana S. Henry:

On September 28, Quiana S. Henry, 35, of Sparta, pleaded guilty to the offense of unlawful delivery of a controlled substance within 1,000 feet of a place of worship before Judge Richard A. Brown.

No agreement was reached as to the sentence and a sentencing hearing has been scheduled for November 12 at 1 p.m.

During the plea, Henry admitted to delivering less than one gram of a substance containing cocaine to a confidential information in Sparta while within 1,000 feet of a place of worship on June 29.

A second delivery charge was dismissed to effectuate the plea.

"The second count we dismissed was a Class X felony, but the lab information I had from the Illinois State Police showed a weight less than what was necessary for the Class X," said Randolph County State's Attorney Jeremy Walker. "Therefore, the second count would not have increased the penalty for Ms. Henry as I would have had to lower the classification from an X to a Class 1."

Class 1 was the same charge Henry pleaded guilty to.

"I do not believe in negotiated pleas of probation for drug dealers and we will argue this matter before the Court on November 12 regarding the appropriate sentence," Walker said.

The Sparta Police Department handled the investigation in this matter.

Jace W. Easter:

On September 30, Jace W. Easter pleaded guilty to the offense of unlawful possession of weapon by felon before Judge Gross.

No agreement was reached as to the sentence and the matter is set for sentencing on November 9.

During the plea, Easter admitted to possessing a set of metal knuckles after being previously convicted of a felony on March 9 near Red Bud, located during a traffic stop of the Defendant.

"At first glance, one may not think this is that severe of a charge, but Mr. Easter has a lot of background in the criminal justice system," said Randolph County State's Attorney Jeremy Walker. "With that knowledge I will ask for what I feel to be an appropriate sentence on November 9.

"We will see what the court does."

Kyle P. Kahmke:

On September 30, Kyle P. Kahmke, 20, of Chester, pleaded guilty to an amended charge of criminal damage to property, a Class A misdemeanor, before Judge Gene Gross.

Pursuant to the terms of the negotiated plea, Kahmke was sentenced to 30 days in the Randolph County Jail, ordered to pay $392 restitution to the victim and placed on probation for a period of one year conditional discharge.

During the plea, Kahmke admitted to damaging a vehicle in Chester on August 22. Additionally, Kahmke also pled guilty to an amended charge of battery.

Kahmke was originally charged with domestic battery, the same classification of misdemeanor as battery, but the charge was amended to facilitate the plea.

During the plea in the misdemeanor case, Kahmke admitted to pushing an ex-girlfriend to the ground on September 13 while in Chester.

Pursuant to the negotiated plea, Kahmke was sentenced to 20 days in jail, restitution and to stay away/have no contact with the victim.

"It appears both of these cases centered around an ex-girlfriend and her new boyfriend," said Randolph County State's Attorney Jeremy Walker. "The victim in the felony case did not want the Defendant to be convicted of a felony and due to the lack of a prior history, we agreed that was an appropriate disposition.

"In the domestic case, the battery conviction will prohibit the defendant from ever possessing a firearm (just as domestic battery) since the charge originated as a domestic battery. Additionally, the penalties of the domestic versus the 'simple' battery are the same."

"I would say the defendant has used up any breaks this office is willing to give out and I truly hope we never see him again," Walker added.

The Chester Police Department handled the investigation in both matters.

People v. Jerrette D. Reed:

On October 1, Jerrette D. Reed, 25, of Steeleville, was sentenced to three years in the Illinois Department of Corrections by Judge Richard A. Brown following a sentencing hearing.

Reed had previously admitted to violating the terms of his probation by committing the offense of mob action in Jackson County.

At the sentencing hearing, the defendant requested an additional term of probation and the State requested a sentence of three years in the Department of Corrections.

"Mr. Reed was on probation for unlawful procurement of methamphetamine precursors," said Randolph County State's Attorney Jeremy Walker. "While on probation, he pled guilty to the offense of mob action in a different county and received probation.

"I disagree with giving people on probation more probation when they break the law. I just don't see how it sends a good message to those on probation to keep giving them probation after a violation."

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