Eldorado man sentenced to 16 years DOC

An Eldorado man was sentenced by Judge Walden E. Morris to 16 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections, three years mandatory supervised release and costs Wednesday.

Sonny R. Pilgrim, 24, Eldorado and formerly of Tomasville, Ga., pled guilty to charges of armed robbery and possession of contraband in a penal institution, according to a release from Saline County State's Attorney Mike Henshaw.

Armed robbery is a Class X Felony punishable by 6 to 30 years' incarceration while possession of contraband in a penal institution is a Class 1 Felony punishable by 4 to 15 years incarceration and a $25,000 fine.

The Eldorado Police Department led the armed robbery investigation. On July 23, 2014, Pilgrim stole keys to a 2005 Chevy Equinox and $4 cash while armed with a sword, according to the release. Pilgrim fled in the car and was caught in Caruthersville, Mo., by the Missouri Highway Patrol.

On Oct. 12, 2014, Pilgrim was found in possession of a homemade knife or "shank" by correctional officers in the Saline County Detention Center.

Assistant State's Attorney, Jason A. Olson, led the prosecution.