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Randolph County State's Attorney case updates

Posted April 23, 2015 11:00 pm

BY STAFF REPORT The Herald Tribune

People v. Robert Taylor:

On April 8, 52-year-old Robert Taylor, of Chester, was sentenced to 10 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections by the Honorable Richard A. Brown.

Taylor had previously pleaded guilty to the offense of unlawful possession of methamphetamine on January 26, but the parties could not reach an agreement on the sentence.

Judge Brown pronounced the 10-year sentence following a sentencing hearing on April 8. Taylor, at the time of his plea, admitted to possessing more than 5 grams, but less than 15 grams, of methamphetamine located by the Chester Police Department following a traffic stop in Chester on May 27, 2014.

During the sentencing hearing, the State requested a sentence of 14 years, and the Defendant requested the minimum sentence of six years in IDOC.

"Anytime you get a sentence in the double digits, it is hard to be upset, but I do feel the Defendant deserved more time," said Randolph County State's Attorney Jeremy Walker. "He was on parole at the time of this offense after serving 12 years in the Department of Corrections out of Jackson County for Aggravated Battery.

"However, it was good work by the Chester Police Department and their K-9 unit and it is a stiff penalty. We respect the Court's decision and we continue to move forward dealing with this methamphetamine that is becoming more and more prevalent."

Thrisia Jacquez:

On April 10, 31-year-old Thrisia L. Jacquez, of Chester, was sentenced to three years in the Illinois Department of Corrections by Judge Richard Brown.

Jacquez had previously pleaded guilty to the offense of unlawful delivery of methamphetamine on February 24.

No agreement was reached on the sentence and Judge Brown pronounced the sentence following a sentencing hearing on April 10. During the sentencing hearing, the state requested four years in the Department of Corrections and Jacquez requested a term of probation.

"The Defendant did not have any prior felony convictions, but due to the severity of the offense (dealing meth), I just don't believe, generally speaking, in giving breaks to drug dealers," said Randolph County State's Attorney Jeremy Walker. "I cannot say there are not circumstances when I feel someone is deserving of a break, but I think a message needs to be sent that drug dealers should not get probation."

"Based on information I had regarding the Defendant, I felt this was an appropriate case to take a stand and ask for prison on a first offender," Walker added. "I am certainly happy with the prison sentence and I truly hope others take notice that if you deal drugs, specifically meth, probation is not a given, even on your first offense.

"I don't know if it will make a difference, but it is a stance I feel needs to be taken, and a message worth spreading."

The Chester Police Department handled the investigation in this matter.

Quiana S. Henry:

On April 13, 2015, 35-year-old Quiana S. Henry, of Sparta, pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia before Judge Brown and was sentenced to six months court supervision and ordered to pay a total fine and costs of $750.

A charge of unlawful possession of a controlled substance (cocaine), was dismissed pursuant to the plea agreement. The charges stemmed from a traffic stop effectuated by the Sparta Police Department on January 30.

"Another occupant in the vehicle has been charged with possessing the same items and his case is resolved," said Randolph County State's Attorney Jeremy Walker. "It was my belief the other person involved ultimately was the one responsible for the cocaine located and he will be punished accordingly.

"Based on that information and belief, we reduced the case to a misdemeanor."

David R. Muncy:

On April 13, 33-year-old David R. Muncy, of Rockford, pled guilty to the offense of methamphetamine conspiracy before Judge Brown.

Pursuant to the negotiated plea, Muncy was sentenced to two years probation and ordered to pay the court costs. A condition of Muncy's probation will require him to obtain alcohol and substance abuse counseling and treatment.

Muncy admitted to agreeing with others to purchase products used in the production of methamphetamine in Chester during the month of July 2014.

"This was a unique case in that we had what we refer to as 'ghost dope,'" said Randolph County State's Attorney Jeremy Walker. "We did not have physical evidence Mr. Muncy, or others involved, actually manufactured meth, we simply had 'talk' or statements these items purchased in Chester were being used to produce meth."

"Last summer, there was an outbreak of meth in the area and I commend the Chester Police Department for taking action to try to stop it," Walker said. "Mr. Muncy did not have any prior felony convictions and cooperated fully with Chester police after his arrest.

"For those reasons, I felt probation was an appropriate sentence."

Jereme M. Owens:

On April 20, 30-year-old Jereme M. Owens, of Granite City, was sentenced to two years in the Illinois Department of Corrections following a sentencing hearing before Judge Richard Brown. Owens had previously pled guilty to the offense of unlawful possession of heroin before Judge Brown on March 25.

During the sentencing hearing, the defendant requested a term of probation and the state requested a sentence of three years in the Department of Corrections.

"Mr. Owens has been to DOC in the past and has unsuccessfully attempted to complete probation in this past," said Randolph County State's Attorney Jeremy Walker. "Some make the argument nonviolent drug offenders don't belong in prison.

"I respect the argument, but when someone has been to prison, and has failed to complete probation in the past, I really do not know what else to ask for as far as a sentence."

"At least in prison, the Defendant will not be using and will have a jump start on sobriety when he is released," Walker added. "If you give probation to repeat offenders, I feel it diminishes the impact of the criminal justice system. We certainly can be here to help, but after a while, I feel you simply need to be here to punish."

The Sparta Police Department handled the investigation. 

Jeremy D. Bauer:

On April 20, 33-year-old Jeremy D. Bauer, of Chester, was sentenced to three years in the Illinois Department of Corrections by Judge Richard Brown following a sentencing hearing.

On March 25, Bauer admitted to entering a building in Chester on January 11 with the intent to commit a theft.

During the sentencing hearing, the state requested a sentence of seven years in the Department of Corrections, and the Defendant requested a sentence of three years.

"Mr. Bauer has a fairly lengthy criminal history," said Randolph County State's Attorney Jeremy Walker. "I can't say I am not a little disappointed in the length of the sentence. However, the burglary involved a weed eater, which was recovered, and certainly we respect the sentence pronounced by the court."

Donald J. Kempfer:

On April 20, 2015, 24-year-old Donald J. Kempfer, of Chester, was sentenced to three years in the Illinois Department of Corrections by Judge Richard Brown following a sentencing hearing.

Kempfer had previously pled guilty to the offense of unlawful delivery of a controlled substance on March 6.

The delivery charge took place in the City of Chester and was investigated by the Chester Police Department.

"This is another example of a first offender going to prison for dealing meth," said Randolph County State's Attorney Jeremy Walker. "Mr. Kemper had no felony convictions before this incident and I am quite happy the court has sent another strong message regarding the sale of methamphetamine.

"This has been a busy time dealing with meth-related offenses and I hope the community observes the efforts we (law enforcement and my office) are undertaking to combat the problem, as well as the strong penalties which accompany someone's involvement in the methamphetamine culture."

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