Details

Category: Justice

Published: March 27, 2020

Circuit Clerk Criminal Office (217) 735-2376  or Civil Office (217)732-1163

In regards to Illinois Supreme Court Order and the 11^th Judicial Circuit Administrative Order 2020-06 in response to COVID-19 Emergency, Logan County Circuit Clerk’s Office will remain open with a reduction in staff to handle all statutory duties required of the clerk. Any business that can be conducted without appearing in the building should be handled by mail or phone call.  Payment of fines and fees should be paid online at www.judici.com or by mail. Record searches and requests for copies should be addressed in writing with contact information.  Please call first to see if you can be helped without appearing in the building.  For case information, court date or balances, please check online at www.judici.com

Details

Category: Justice

Published: February 22, 2019

Four men sentenced to 130 combined years in the Illinois Department of Corrections for roles in 2017 Lincoln shooting.

On October 1, 2017, the Lincoln Police Department and the Logan County Sheriff’s Office responded to a call for gunshots fired in the 700 block of South Walnut Street in Lincoln, Illinois. Based on the investigation, a Logan County Grand Jury indicted Gerald Thomas Jr. (d.o.b. 5-16-91), Jeremiah Friend (d.o.b. 9-19-99), Casey J. Cottrill (d.o.b. 5-11-94) and Shondale E. Henson (d.o.b. 9-10-94).

On December 13, 2018, following a three-day bench trial, Associate Judge William Workman found Gerald Thomas Jr. guilty of two counts Attempt First Degree Murder, one count Aggravated Battery with a Firearm, and one count Unlawful Possession of Weapon by Felon. Judge Workman specifically found that during the commission of one of the Attempt First Degree Murder charges Thomas personally discharged a firearm that was the proximate cause of great bodily harm to a victim. Judge Workman further found that during the commission of the other Attempt First Degree Murder charge Thomas was armed with a firearm. The case was then continued for a sentencing hearing.

On February 12, 2019, Judge Workman sentenced Gerald Thomas Jr. to a total of 86 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections. Based on Illinois law, Thomas must serve at least 85% of the first 76 years and at least 50% the last 10 years. Thomas must then serve 3 years of mandatory supervised release (formerly called parole). Thomas also received credit for the 429 days he spent in custody while awaiting trial.

Also on February 12, 2019, Judge Workman accepted a fully negotiated plea agreement sending Jeremiah Friend to the Illinois Department of Corrections for 26 years for one count of Attempt First Degree Murder, followed by 3 years of mandatory supervised release. Friend must serve at least 85% of the sentence and was given received credit for 220 days spent in pre-trial detention.

On February 20, 2019, Judge Workman accepted fully negotiated plea agreements of Casey Cottrill and Shondale Henson. Cottrill and Henson each plead guilty to Aggravated Battery and were sentenced to 10 years and 8 years in the Department of Corrections, respectively. Each must serve 85% of the sentence and each must then serve 3 years of mandatory supervised release. Cottrill received credit for 435 days spent in pre-trial detention and Henson received credit for 434 days spent in pre-trial detention.

This case was investigated by the Lincoln Police Department with the help of the Logan County Sheriff’s Office and the Illinois State Police. Thanks to the hard work and thorough investigation by law enforcement all four men involved in this incident have been successfully prosecuted and sentenced to the Illinois Department of Corrections.

“The senseless gun violence exhibited by these men will not be tolerated,” said Logan County State’s Attorney Bradley M. Hauge. “The people who live in this community deserve to feel safe in their homes and also in public. Those who have personal disagreements should keep these sentences in mind before turning to firearms to settle their differences.”

Details

Category: Justice

Published: May 02, 2019

Lincoln man sentenced to 41 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections for sexually assaulting a child and producing child pornography.

On April 30, 2019, Associate Judge William Workman accepted a fully negotiated plea agreement sending Daniel C. Baker, 34, of the 1100 block of Postville Drive, to 41 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections.

Baker pleaded guilty to one count of Predatory Criminal Sexual Assault of a Child and one count of Child Pornography, each a Class X Felony. On the first count, Baker was sentenced to 35 years and must serve at least 85% of the sentence. On the second count, Baker was sentenced to 6 years and must serve at least 50% of that sentence. The sentences must be served consecutively and Baker was given credit for the 428 days he spent in pre-trial detention. As a consequence of these offenses, Baker must serve between 3 years and natural life of mandatory supervised release (formerly called parole) and register as a sex offender for the rest of his natural life.

During the plea Logan County State’s Attorney Bradley Hauge stated that in August of 2017 Baker forced a child he knew, who was under 13 years old, to touch him and that Baker also took a photograph of the incident.

The Sangamon County Child Advocacy Center with the assistance of the Lincoln Police Department investigated this case.

One in four girls and one in six boys will be sexually abused by the time they are 18 years old. If you suspect a child is being abused, call 1-800-25-ABUSE.

Details

Category: Justice

Published: January 16, 2019

Connie J. White, age 49, of Lincoln, IL, was arrested by Lincoln Police on 1/15/19 at 12:53pm in the 300 block of 8th St. on a charge of Driving While License Revoked.

Joseph B. Stewart, age 37, of Champaign, IL, was arrested by Logan County on 1/15/19 at 3:19pm at the Logan County Safety Complex on Logan County warrant 2018TR2792 for failure to appear on a Driving on Suspended License charge.

Gabriel R. Greer, age 28, of Springfield, IL, was arrested by Logan County on 1/16/19 at 2:20am on charges of Driving While License Revoked and Fleeing/Attempting to Elude a Peace Officer.