Randolph County State's Attorney Case Updates
Early January updates
People v. Cheyanna K. Cole:
On January 4, 2016, 34-year-old Cheyanna K. Cole, of Coulterville, pleaded guilty to the offense of burglary before the Honorable Richard A. Brown.
No agreement was reached as to the sentence and the matter has been scheduled for a sentencing hearing on February 5 at 9 a.m.
During the plea, Cole admitted to entering an automobile in Coulterville on September 14, 2015 with the intent to commit a theft.
"The defendant will not be eligible for probation at the sentencing hearing due to her prior criminal history; therefore, we will be arguing solely about the length of the sentence," said Randolph County State's Attorney Jeremy Walker. "The charge carries a possible seven-year sentence, and a minimum of three years.
"I suspect you will see me at the maximum side of the range and I am equally sure the defendant will argue at the minimum side of the range."
Walker noted that Cole has two prior Department of Corrections sentences.
"To me it is important to look not only at the alleged conduct, but you have to take into consideration a person's criminal history when you try to resolve a case," Walker said. "A person with no record would be looking at a possible reduction of charges, while someone with a significant history may be looking at a long DOC sentence, all based on the same set of facts."
The Coulterville Police Department handled the investigation in this matter.
People v. Caylon M. Daniel:
On January 4, 2016, 20-year-old Caylon M. Daniel, of Chester, pleaded guilty to the offense of aggravated domestic battery before Judge Richard A. Brown.
No agreement was reached as to the sentence and the matter is schedule for a sentencing hearing on February 5 at 9 a.m.
During the plea, Daniel admitted to causing bodily harm to a child, whom resided with the defendant, in Chester on August 16, 2015.
"The defendant will be looking at a term of probation, as well as a possible sentence of up to seven years in the Department of Corrections," said Randolph County State's Attorney Jeremy Walker. "Mr. Daniel was originally charged with a Class X felony (up to 30 years in prison), but the range was lowered to facilitate the plea.
"Luckily, the victim in the case has healed and is not experiencing any problems as a result of the defendant's conduct. Based on that fact, it may have been difficult to prove the element necessary in the statute to obtain a conviction for the original charge (great bodily harm)."
Walker noted the plea is guaranteed and he plans to argue for the seven-year sentence at next month's hearing.
"We take these cases very seriously and do not plan on taking it easy on a child abuser," he said. "When the case started, we did not know how the victim would come out of this. Luckily the victim has come out very well and that required, in my opinion, a reduction in the length of the possible sentence."
Walker said a jury could have found Daniel guilty of the original charge, but he would have had to prove a permanent injury exists.
"It does not appear we could have done so," he said. "Therefore, as a prosecutor, you have to place some faith in the judicial system.
"I don't feel a judge will give probation, but I can't guarantee that won't happen. It was, and is, my belief the defendant would have received towards the minimum of the prior range of penalties (6-30), otherwise I would not be proceeding the way I did."
The Chester Police Department, Randolph County Sheriff's Office and the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services all investigated this matter.
Jennifer A. Masterson:
On January 4, 2016, a charge of unlawful possession of a controlled substance was dismissed against Jennifer A. Masterson.
"I was provided a test that day from the Illinois State Police Crime lab which revealed the substance we alleged was heroin was not heroin, or any other illegal substance," said Randolph County State's Attorney Jeremy Walker. "Therefore, we had to dismiss the case. Before we charge these types of cases, a field test is completed on the suspected substance.
"While they are typically accurate, they are on occasion incorrect," Walker added.
Carrie L. Grobb:
On January 7, 2016, 32-year-old Carrie L. Grobb, of Sparta, pleaded guilty to the offense of unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia and was fined $750 before Judge Richard A. Brown.
A felony charge of unlawful possession of a controlled substance was dismissed, as well as a misdemeanor charge of possession of a hypodermic syringe.
During the plea, Grobb admitted to possessing a pipe used to inhale cannabis into her body on August 13, 2015, located during a traffic stop in Sparta.
"A prescription medication was the basis for the felony charge," said Randolph County State's Attorney Jeremy Walker. "Ultimately, the defendant was able to produce proof of a valid prescription for the medication.
"Therefore, we had to dismiss that count. The syringe was located near a passenger, who already has been placed in the Department of Corrections following his arrest that evening."
The Sparta Police handled the investigation in this matter.
Jamico A. Marion:
On January 13, 2016, 36-year-old Jamico A. Marion, of Chester, was found guilty of the offense of theft over $500 by Judge Richard A. Brown following a bench trial.
Marion was found guilty of obtaining unauthorized control of a 2013 scooter, having a value over $500, on September 5, 2015 in Chester.
A sentencing hearing has been scheduled for March 10 at 1 p.m. before Judge Richard A. Brown. "The defendant presented a unique defense in this matter, being a mistake of fact," said Randolph County State's Attorney Jeremy Walker. "The scooter was parked behind a business (Wally's) that had experienced a catastrophic fire and was a total loss in late August.
"The defendant testified at the trial he assumed it was trash and thought he could take it. We are certainly pleased the court found the defendant guilty and will see what the pre-sentence report has to say about the defendant's criminal history before determining what we will ask for at sentencing."
Walker noted that the charge carries a possible sentence of probation to five years in the Department of Corrections.
The Chester Police Department handled the investigation in this matter.
Thomas H. Schaeffer:
On January 14, 2016, a charge of unlawful possession of methamphetamine with intent to deliver was dismissed against Thomas H. Schaeffer.
Schaeffer was successfully prosecuted by the United State Attorney's Office and had been sentenced to approximately 15 years in federal custody.
"Our local police agencies, particularly the Randolph County Sheriff's Office, put a lot of time into this case," said Randolph County State's Attorney Jeremy Walker. "Therefore, when we learned the feds were interested in prosecuting the defendant, we were all extremely pleased.
People v. Michael A. Boyt, Jr.:
A charge of unlawful possession of cannabis with intent to deliver and unlawful possession of methamphetamine manufacturing material was recently dismissed against Michael A. Boyt, Jr..
"The federal authorities picked up the prosecuting of this defendant and garnered an approximate five-year prison sentence," said Randolph County State's Attorney Jeremy Walker. "I can't say much more than I just did regarding Mr. Boyt.
"It is another example of what good comes when all of our local law enforcement agencies come together for a common good…sending drug offenders to prison."
People v. Tina A. Miller:
On January 14, 2016, 34-year-old Tina A. Miller, of Sparta, pleaded guilty to the offense of unlawful participation in methamphetamine production before Judge Richard A. Brown.
No agreement was reached as to the sentence, and a sentencing hearing has been scheduled for February 25 before Judge Brown.
During the plea, Miller admitted to participating in the manufacture of less than 15 grams of methamphetamine in rural Sparta on October 1, 2015.
"It is our belief the defendant will not be eligible for probation due to her prior criminal history," said Randolph County State's Attorney Jeremy Walker. "If that bears out at the sentencing hearing, Ms. Miller is looking at four to 15 years in the Department of Corrections. We are having a good run at taking meth producers, dealers and users off the streets.
"I want to thank our local law enforcement for their heads up actions and work in these cases."
The Randolph County Sheriff's Office, Illinois State Police and Illinois Department of Corrections Parole Agents all assisted in this investigation.