Police News 08-26-14
Canton Man Sentenced In Construction Site Accident (Lewistown, IL) -- A Canton man who is accused os striking and seriously injuring a construction worker last year was in Fulton County Circuit Court on Monday to be sentenced. 42-year old Jody Ray Johnson entered a guilty plea to driving with a suspended driver's license. He was then sentenced to probation and four months of jail time. He was given credit for time that she has already served. The court also ordered Johnson to pay a $2,500 assessment. Authorities say that Johnson hit 53-year old Cheryl Foster of Downs at a construction site near Banner in July of 2013. Johnson was working as a flagger at the construction site. Johnson was allegedly trying to avoid striking another vehicle that had stopped for the flagger by heading for the ditch and that’s when he struck Foster. Foster had to be taken to OSF St. Francis Medical Center in Peoria by LifeFlight to be treated for her injuries.
Traffic Stop Results In Arrest Of Three People (Canton, IL) -- Three individuals are facing drug related charges after a traffic stop in Canton last week. Two of the individuals are juveniles. Canton police say they conducted the stop at the intersection of 2nd Avenue and East Elm Street Friday night at about 11:50. There were a total of five people inside the vehicle, including the driver. The driver was identified 18-year old Andrew T. Kaestner of Canton. Two 15-year olds, a male and a female, a 14-year old Canton female and a 13-year old Canton female were passengers in the car. The two fifteen year olds were not charged but released to their parents. The 14-year old was found to be in possession of a plastic baggy containing pot. The 13-year old was found to be in possession of a glass hitter pipe used to smoke marijuana. The driver, Kaestner, was arrested after being found to be in possession of scales. He was charged with unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia. All three, Kaestner and the 14 and 13 year old Canton females were all arrested and taken to the Canton Police Department to be processed. Kaestner was given a notice to appear and released with a September Fulton County Court date in Lewistown. The 14 and 13 year old Canton females were given juvenile intake referrals and then released to the custody of their parents.
Farmington Man Arrested Following Traffic Stop (Canton, IL) -- A Farmington man is facing charges after a traffic stop that took place in Canton last week. Canton police say they conducted the traffic stop at the intersection of 5th Avenue and East Elm Street Thursday night at just after 5:30 for it having an expired registration. After making the stop, the driver of the vehicle was identified as its owner, 29-year old Leroy M. Barrett. Barrett was arrested on a charge of driving a motor vehicle with a revoked driver's license. He was then released at the scene. Barrett has an October Fulton County Court date in Lewistown.
Warrant Leads To Arrest Of Bethany Woman (Canton, IL) -- A woman wanted on a valid warrant was arrested at a downtown tavern last week in Canton. Canton police say they received a call that 18-year old Hannah L. Halleck of Bethany, Illinois was at Jack's Bar in Canton on Thursday night of last week. Authorities say they responded at about 6:30-. Halleck was wanted on a 2014 Moultrei County Misdemeanor Warrant for failure to appear battery. Halleck was then arrested by police after they located her inside the bar. She was taken to the Canton Police Department where she was processed for the warrant. Halleck was unable to post bond and was later taken to the Fulton County Jail in Lewistown.
Peoria Man Enters Guilty Plea In Murder Of Homeless Man (Peoria, IL) -- One of two men who was indicted last year in connection with the murder of a homeless man was in Peoria County Circuit Court on Monday. 22-year old Jay Conway reached a plea bargain yesterday, entering a guilty plea. As a result of the deal, Conway won't be facing over a 35-year prison sentence. He is due back in Peoria County Circuit Court in October to be sentenced. The second man accused in the crime, 24-year old Adam Brown Windle was sentenced earlier this month to 50 years in prison. Both men were charged after 22-year old Dylan Propst was found stabbed to death in December of last year in a vacant house located on Prospect.
Springfield Teacher Sentenced For Sexual Abuse (Springfield, IL) -- A former Springfield teacher is going to prison for sexually abusing a boy. Steven Battles was sentenced to seven years in prison for aggravated criminal sexual abuse. Battles fondled a boy between 1999 and 2002. The boy was ten when the abuse started. He was charged with the crimes in 2011.