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State’s Attorney Paul Whitcombe announced today that Lashon Howard, 31, of PontiacCorrectionalCenter, was sentenced today to six additional years in the Department of Corrections by Circuit Judge Daniel A. Fish. Howard pleaded guilty to Aggravated Battery in that on March 15, 2207 he struck a Correctional Officer in the face. Howard was an inmate at the DixonCorrectionalCenterat the time of the assault, serving a term of 11 years for Armed Robbery. He was scheduled to be released on parole on November 21, 2008, but now must serve an additional 6 years in prison. “Because Howard committed this offense while serving a sentence for another crime, his sentence must be served consecutively,” explained Whitcombe. Whitcombe also emphasized the Lee County does not tolerate violence against law enforcement – “the officers at DOC are working in difficult conditions to protect the public and they deserve the full protection of the law.”

Amy Smith, 35, of Dixon, was sentenced to 10 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections for Delivery of a Controlled Substance within 1,000 feet of Public Housing. Smith has two prior convictions for violations of the Controlled Substances Act.

Jiavanni Thomas, 32, was sentenced to 7 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections for Delivery of a Controlled Substance within 1,000 feet of Public Housing. Thomas, who has a prior drug conviction from 2003, was originally arrested in November, 2006. When arrested, Thomas admitted he was selling drugs in Dixon in order to support his six children. However, the case was delayed by motions filed by the defendant to suppress his confession, which were denied by Judge Ron Jacobson, and by the illness of Thomas' attorney.

Jacob Cecil, 29, of Dixon, was sentenced to 60 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections for Armed Robbery. Cecil has prior convictions for Armed Robbery, Possession of Methamphetamine Manufacturing Chemicals, Burglary and numerous misdemeanor offenses.

At the Sentencing hearing, State's Attorney Whitcombe presented evidence that Cecil committed two armed robberies in Dixon, armed with a sawed off shotgun he obtained from his drug dealer in Rockford. Whitcombe also presented the testimony of new Dixon Police Chief Dan Langloss regarding Cecil's armored robbery of two Dixon businesses.

Chief Langloss explained that the Dixon Police found the car matching the description of one used in the robbery at Cecil's mother's home and surrounded the home. The TRT team was activated and officers of the Lee County Sheriff and Illinois State Police assisted at the scene. Eventually, Cecil surrendered and officers found the shotgun and other evidence in the apartment linking Cecil to both armed robberies. Cecil admitted he committed both offenses.

Cecil testified in his own defense, and claimed to be a new man who would never commit another crime. He also presented the testimony of family members who testified that they saw a real change in Cecil since his arrest. However, Cecil admitted an $800.00 dollar a day cocaine habit, and that he and his "friends" sold a quarter kilo of cocaine a week to pay for their habit. Cecil also explained that he committed home invasions and armed robberies in Dixon, Rockford and Bloomington to collect money owed to his drug dealers.

Child molester Robert E. Bears was sentenced to 10 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections for Predatory Criminal Sexual Assault of a Child. Bears was originally found unfit to stand trial, and spent over a year in an institution receiving mental health treatment. Restored to fitness in late 2007, Bears admitting performing a sex act on young girl and was sentenced to 10 years in prison. He must serve 85% of that sentence, and is not eligible for parole until 2015.

Lee County State’s Attorney Paul Whitcombe announced today that his Bad Check Diversion Program continues to return good results for the citizens of Lee County. The program requires people who write bad checks to pay full restitution, and attend classes in budgeting and balancing their checkbooks. If the defendant complies with the program, no criminal charges are filed.

In September, Whitcombe announced that the program, began in June, 2006, had already produce 72% more restitution for victims of bad checks than in the entire four years prior to Whitcombe’s taking office, and drastically cut the number of bad check cases on the court docket.

Today, Whitcombe announced that total restitution for victims of bad checks has now increased by nearly 100%,to $38,560.99 from the program’s inception to January 31, 2008.

Since the inception of the program, 131 bad check writers have attended the program course work, taught by Masters Degree-level instructors in Rockford at the NIU Rockford Campus and in LaSalle at the Illinois Valley Community College. Students report a positive experience with the course work. “I am glad I came to this class because I learned a lot about financial responsibility,” one participant wrote in her program evaluation.

The most gratifying part for Whitcombe, aside from the increased restitution to victims, is that nearly everyone who was given the chance to participate in the program and who attended the classes has learned their lesson. “The recidivism rate for class attendees (students writing a bad check again after attending the program class work) is currently a remarkably low 2.35%,” said Whitcombe.

The program costs taxpayers nothing, because offenders are required to pay their own way. In fact, offenders also pay a small fee to Lee County for the right to attend the program and also must pay class fees, in addition to the restitution and any penalties due for the bad checks.

“This program really is a success,” says Whitcombe. “It gives bad check writers a chance to keep a clean record, but doesn’t let them off without paying full restitution and learning not to commit the same offense in the future. It cuts down the workload for police, and lightens court dockets, and with the low rate of re-offending, seems to be working on every level.”

Whitcombe encourages anyone with questions about the program to contact his office or go to the Bad Check Program page on the web at http://www.leecountysaoffice.com/badcheck.htm.

Matthew R. Oester, 34, of Dixon, was sentenced today by Circuit Judge Ronald M. Jacobson to the maximum extended term of six years in the Illinois Department of Corrections on a charge of Domestic Battery, Subsequent Offense. Oester was convicted on December 21, 2007 of kicking and punching his wife, Angela Oester, repeatedly in the face and body.

At the sentencing hearing today, Lee County State’s Attorney Paul Whitcombe presented Oester’s criminal record, which includes four prior convictions for domestic battery, two prior convictions for battery, Criminal Trespass, Retail Theft and DUI, and recommended an extended term maximum sentence of 6 years in prison. Oester’s attorney, Doug Lathe of Dixon, argued for probation.

Oester spoke on his own behalf and told the court that he would not commit another crime in the future. He said that he would never get a fair trial “as long as the Dixon Police and the State’s Attorney continue to believe Angela” because “then she believes she can continue to manipulate the Court.”

Judge Jacobson pointed out that Oester’s statement demonstrated that Oester refused to accept responsibility for his own actions. The Judge found that a sentence to the Department of Corrections was necessary due to the seriousness of the offense and Oester’s criminal record and refusal to accept responsibility. Considering all the factors, Judge Jacobson found that Oester deserved the maximum, extended term sentence of six years in prison.

Oester subsequently pleaded guilty to a different charge of Aggravated Domestic Battery, accepting a sentence of 4 years in prison, which must be served consecutively to the six years he received today. Thus, his total sentence is 10 years, Illinois Department of Corrections.

Candice Pottorff, 28, of Amboy was sentenced to 3 years in prison for Identity Theft. Pottorff used the identities of relatives to obtain credit from various retailers and used that credit to purchase furniture, appliances and other items for her own home.

Ericka R. Larkins, 37, of Chicago, was sentenced to 11 years in prison for Burglary. Larkins, with co-defendant Eugene Jones, also of Chicago, came to Dixon with a rented box truck and purchased a refrigerator from a local appliance store using a stolen credit card. The proprietor noticed the card was stolen before the thieves left the parking lot and tried to stop the pair from driving away. One of the store employees was still on the back of the truck when Larkins and Jones began driving away, attempted to jump from the truck and became entangled, and was dragged across the parking lot before she could free herself. Larkins and Jones were stopped by Dixon Police before they got out of the area. Larkins has 3 prior prison sentences of 3, 2 and 1 year respectively, all for narcotics convictions. Jones, the co-defendant, received 8 years in prison for his role in the offense.

Matthew L. Sanders, 41, of Rock Falls was sentenced today to the Illinois Department of Corrections by Circuit Judge Ronald M. Jacobson. Sanders pleaded guilty in December to the premeditated assault of a Dixon High School Student in rural Lee County.

The victim was treated at KSB Hospital for deep cuts to his face and scalp and abrasions to his elbows, wrists and knees. He required six stitches and two staples to close the wounds on his head.

Lee County State’s Attorney Paul Whitcombe argued for the 10-year maximum sentence because of the premeditated nature and brutality of the attack, and the fact that Sanders, an 8-time convicted felon, was 41 and led a group attack on a high school student.

Whitcombe presented the testimony of the victim, who explained that he was lured to an area near the cement plant by a cell phone call from someone claiming to be “Johnny.” When he arrived at the meeting point, the victim recognized, behind the wheel of the car, a student from the High School he had been in a dispute with, and when a man he didn’t know got out of the passenger side, the victim went to shake the man’s hand and introduce himself. However, the victim was immediately attacked by the first man, then a second man emerged from the car and held the victim so the first man could strike him. Eventually, Sanders picked up a large rock and struck the victim on the head. Sanders then told the victim, “if you call the police, we will kill you and your family.” When asked to identify the man who held him still, the victim pointed directly at Sanders and said “that man, right there.” The victim also testified that he still has pain from the injuries and is frightened of going anywhere alone.

The victim’s mother testified to the horror of seeing her son in the emergency room covered in blood, and how the attack has shaken her family’s sense of peace and security in her home and community.

The defendant claimed that he only struck the victim in self-defense, but presented no other evidence regarding the attack.

Judge Jacobson, after hearing the testimony, called the attack on the victim “reprehensible,” and “without any conceivable justification whatsoever.” The Judge found that a severe sentence was necessary to deter others from similar actions, and taking into account the cold-blooded nature of the attack and Sanders’ extensive criminal history, imposed the maximum 10-year term in prison on Sanders. He also ordered Sanders to pay $3261 in restitution for medical bills and other expenses incurred by the victim.

The case was investigated by the Lee County Sheriff’s Department. The cell phone call from “Johnny” was traced to Sanders’ cell phone, and Sanders and two other individuals were arrested. Sanders was represented by Attorney Doug Lathe of Dixon.

266 Cats, Dogs and Birds Seized and put up for Adoption Recently, a Lee County resident was found with 266 cats, dogs and birds. The animals were in various states of poor health and the property was filthy. The SAO obtained a search warrant and seized the animals, who were cared for by the Tails Humane Society of DeKalb in an airport hangar. The SAO was able to forfeit the animals to the Humane Society, and they are now being placed in good homes. The story was covered nationally and internationally in the media. ASA Andrew Bollman took the lead on getting the animals forfeited and making them available for adoption.

Sexual Predator Sentenced to LIFE in prison without parole Jeff Hubbell, 54, of Amboy was sentenced to natural life in prison for sexually assualting two young girls, 5 and 12. Hubbell also was suspected of assaulting at least 13 other young children. Although Hubbell had no prior criminal history, the severity of his actions led to the mandatory life sentence. Hubbell admitted his crimes when confronted and told authorities he wanted to end the shame for his family and pain for his victims as soon as possible, and plead guilty within days of admitting his crimes. Hubbell's Amboy home will be sold and the proceeds donated to the Shining Star Children's Advocacy Center to provide for counseling for victims of sexual abuse.

Sexual Predator Sentenced to 160 Years in Prison Christopher Letcher, 33, of Dixon was convicted of eight counts of Predatory Criminal Sexual Assault after a trial before Circuit Judge John E. Payne. Letcher had prior convictions for drug dealing and drug manufacturing, domestic battery, theft and unlawful restraint. At Letcher's sentencing hearing, SA Whitcombe argued for eight consecutive sentences of 20 years, pointing out the terrible damage Letcher had done to his victim, age 6 at the time of the assaults, and her family. Letcher also continued to deny his guilt and blame the victim for initiating the sexual encounters. Judge Payne agreed with the State. Letcher will not be eligible for parole until the year 2143, virtually assuring he will never leave prison alive.

Lee County State’s Attorney Paul Whitcombe announced today that his Bad Check Diversion Program is working well to get more restitution to victims of bad checks. Whitcombe explained that as of August 31, 2007 his program has returned $33,500.00 in restitution to victims of bad checks since he took office, or an increase of 72% over the $19,000.00 collected during the four years prior to his election in 2004. “This is great news for business people in Lee County,” explained Whitcombe, who made collecting bad checks a priority in his 2004 campaign, “we nearly doubled efficiency on this very important issue.”

Whitcombe explained that his Bad Check Diversion Program gives offenders the opportunity to pay the check off and keep criminal charges off their records. However, the Program only begins there. To avoid prosecution, bad check writers must also complete classes on budgeting and financial responsibility and pay program fees in addition to the restitution to their victims. “The classes teach offenders how to keep a budget and how to balance a checkbook, skills many of them never had before. In this way, it reduces recidivism,” Whitcombe said.

The offenders who fail to pay restitution, complete the classes or pay program fees are prosecuted criminally. However, very few offenders fail to complete the program. While bad check cases prosecuted criminally used to number in the hundreds, since Whitcombe’s new program was put in place in 2005, there have been less than 10 cases referred for criminal prosecution. This is a significant reduction in the caseload for local police, who no longer have to devote time and effort investigating bad check cases. Bad checks are now directed immediately to the State’s Attorney’s office rather than referred to the police. “We used to be investigating bad check cases all the time, but this program just took that problem off our radar screen,” explained Dixon Police Lt. Brad Sibley. “Now we can use the manpower for more serious crimes.”

Like his Second Chance Program and the Drug Court, the goal of the Bad Check Diversion Program is to: (1) stop criminal behavior, (2) make the victim whole, and (3) make the offender a useful citizen rather than a convict, all in the most efficient, cost-effective way for the taxpayers. Neither the Second Chance Program nor the Bad Check Diversion program costs taxpayers a dime, because in order to have the privilege of participating in these programs, offenders must pay their own way. Offenders have paid thousands of dollars in program fees to Lee County to participate in these programs rather than cost the County or State those dollars to house them in jail or prison.

Drug Dealer Gets 16 Years in Prison. Tina Grobe, 29, of Dixon, was sentenced to 16 years in prison for drug dealing. Recent stiff sentences handed down in Lee County led Grobe to accept 16 years in prison as part of her guilty plea to charges of delivering cocaine.

"Grinch" Burglars Get 21 and 16 years in Prison. Elizabeth Drolema, 44, of Mt. Morris and Cindy Sauer, 40, or Oregon, were sentenced to two, consecutive 8-year terms in prison and three consecutive 7-year terms, respectively, by Circuit Judge Ronald M. Jacobson. Drolema and her sister, Sauer, plead guilty to daytime residential burglaries in Lee County where they stole, among other items, all the Christmas gifts under the tree. During one of the burglaries, the home owner came home and caught the thieves in the act. In order to make their escape, Sauer beat the homeowner with a claw hammer while Drolema held him. The victim survived, but required 15 staples to close his head wounds. Even though the sisters had very little criminal history and neither had ever been incarcerated before, Judge Jacobson made the rare decision to impose consecutive sentences, citing the bruality of the attack and the need to protect the public from Drolema and Sauer. Drolema and Sauer also face residential burglary charges in DeKalb, Ogle, Stephenson and Carroll Counties.

Burglar Sentenced to 11 years in Prison for Stealing Firearm, Trading it for Drugs

Anna M. Chirchirillo, 21, of Mendota was sentenced to 11 years in prison for breaking into an Amboy home and stealing a .357 magnum Smith & Wesson revolver which she later traded for cocaine on the streets of Aurora. Chirchirillo was on parole for a previous conviction at the time of this offense.

Man Convicted of Shaking Baby Sentenced to 42 years in Prison. Randall Mills of Dixon was tried on charges of shaking his girlfriend's infant son and causing him severe injury. SA Whitcombe personally handled the trial and presented the testimony of several investigators from the Dixon and Illinois State Police and three physicians, including a pediatric neurologist. Mills was convicted and sentenced to 42 years in prison. In May, 2007, the Appellate Court affirmed Mills' conviction and sentence. Mills is not eligible for parole until the year 2040.

SA Whitcombe Meets with United States Attorney General Alberto Gonzalez. SA Whitcombe met recently with the Attorney General of the United States, Alberto Gonzalez. Whitcombe is a member of Project Safe Childhood, a cooperative effort between local, state and federal law enforcement agencies aimed at protecting our children from internet predators. At the meeting in Chicago, Attorney General Gonzalez met with participating officials on the status of the program and listened to success stories and about ongoing efforts against internet predators.

Man Convicted of Burglary gets Maximum Sentence. Brian Schumack of rural Dixon was charged with burglary of Kitzman’s Lumber in Dixon. SA Whitcombe handled the case and presented the testimony of forensic scientists from the Illinois State Police crime lab, who were able to identify characteristics of Schumack’s shoes with footprints at the crime scene and glass fragments in the shoes with broken glass from the scene. Schumack, who has five prior convictions for Residential Burglary, was convicted and sentenced to the maximum 15 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections.

Outstanding Debt Owed by Criminals Reduced. In 2004, convicted criminals owed $2.4 million in unpaid fines, costs and restitution to Lee County. After two years of SA Whitcombe’s innovative approach to collections, headed up by Financial Compliance Officer Zach Albert, outstanding debt owed the County has been reduced to $1.6 million.

Total Collected in Fines, Fees, Costs and Restitution Hits All-time High. In fiscal 2006, the total amount of money collected from offenders reached over $2 million for the first time ever. This is entirely due to Financial Compliance Officer Zach Albert’s collection methods and the cooperation of the Circuit Clerk and the judges. This is especially impressive when one considers that traffic cases, which generate large fees and are relatively simple to handle, are down by several thousand from the peak reached in 2001 due to budget cuts and shifting priorities at local law enforcement agencies.

Recidivist Drunk Driver Gets 12 Years in Prison. Thomas Fiala, 50, was convicted of his 6th Driving Under the Influence charge in 2006. Because of the number of Fiala's prior convictions for DUI, he was sentenced as a Class X Offender. Fiala received 12 years in the Illinois Deparment of Corrections.

Child Molester Gets 16 Years. Ed Cummins, 54, of Dixon was sentenced to two, consecutive 8 years sentences for Predatory Criminal Sexual Assault of a Child. Cummins, a former baseball and soccer coach in Dixon whose wife ran a daycare center, was convicted of molesting a child under 13 years of age. Cummins is not eligible for day-for-day credit and must serve at least 85% of his sentence. He is not eligible for parole until 2018.

Child Sex Predator Declared Sexually Dangerous. John Connolly, of Dixon, was convicted of sexual crimes against children in the 1980's and again in 1992. After his release from prison in 2001 and while still on parole, he was accused of molesting two more children. The SA at that time declined to bring charges. After SA Whitcombe took office in 2004, Connolly was caught with 500 images of child pornography on his computer and sent back to prison. As part of a cold case review, SA Whitcombe decided to file the charges from 2001 against Connolly and petition the Court to declare him a sexually dangerous person. After a trial before Judge Charles Beckman where SA Whitcombe and ASA Huffman presented the testimony of two psychiatrists that Connolly was a pedophile who was likely to harm other children if not confined, Judge Beckman found Connolly to be sexually dangerous and ordered him confined to the Illinois Department of Corrections for an indefinite period, or until such time as he is able to prove he is cured and no longer a threat to the children of Illinois.

$30,000.00 in Drug Money Seized: Julian Lobatos was on his way home to California with $30,000.00 in drug money hidden in his motor home. Unfortunately for Mr. Lobatos, the Dixon Police Department made a traffic stop on his vehicle and became suspicious due to conflicting stories from Lobatos, who claimed he was in Chicago looking to buy a horse, and his passenger, an illegal alien. The DPD K9 Officer was called in and alerted to the odor of narcotics in an exhaust hose below the motor home’s refrigerator. Officers reached into the hose and pulled out bundles of cash that smelled strongly of marijuana. Lobatos and his passenger were released, but the police seized the cash. When the cash was counted, it totaled $30,000.00, all bundled together in rubber bands.

Dixon Police immediately met with SA Whitcombe and they began research on seizing the funds. Although the funds appeared to be drug proceeds, there had been no prior case in Illinois where money was seized without contraband or narcotics being present as well. After researching the law, DPD Officers and SA Whitcombe decided to file forfeiture proceedings against the funds. Lobatos and another man from California hired a local attorney and contested the forfeiture, claiming the money was for buying a horse.

At a two-day trial, SA Whitcombe and ASA Peter Buh presented their evidence that the money was the proceeds of a drug transaction. DPD Officers testified as to the results of the investigation, including evidence of extensive suspicious cash transactions at banks in the Southwest by Lobatos' co-claimant, all of which appear to be designed to avoid federal reporting requirements, and Lobatos being the target of a current federal Drug Enforcement Administration investigation for cannabis trafficking. In all, Whitcombe and Buh gave Judge John E. Payne 28 reasons why the $30,000.00 was the proceeds of an illegal narcotic transaction, and Judge Payne agreed, awarding the money to the State to be used in drug enforcement activities.

John Thede, 41, was sentenced to 20 years in prison for dealing cocaine after being convicted of Possession of Cocaine with Intent to Deliver, a Class X felony. Thede was a target of a Dixon Police Department investigation into cocaine sales in Dixon, and during the course of the investigation, was a passenger in a vehicle stopped by Dixon Police. Police saw a bag with a white powdery substance in the car, and when Thede got out of the car, a large bag of cocaine fell out of his shorts. The Police arrested Thede, and he had additional cocaine and $1700.00 in cash on his person. Thede admitted to selling approximately two ounces of cocaine per week for the last two years. Police also found another stash of cocaine in Thede’s home. Altogether Thede was caught with nearly 40 grams of cocaine with a street value of nearly $4,000.00. At the sentencing hearing before Judge John Payne, Mr. Whitcombe presented evidence that police had recorded Thede selling cocaine in Dixon bars on two separate occasions prior to him being arrested on the current charges and that Thede’s cocaine business netted him approximately $2800.00 per week. Whitcombe also played a recording of Mr. Thede’s confession for the court, and presented evidence of Thede’s 3 prior felony convictions for drugs. Whitcombe recommended a sentence of 20 years in prison. Mr. Thede’s attorney argued that Thede was a good family man and had never done more than 30 days in jail in his life and deserved only 6 years in prison, the minimum sentence. Judge Payne agreed with Whitcombe and sentenced Thede to 20 years in prison.

Drug Dealer Gets 15 years in prison Dennis R. Milby, 38, was sentenced to 15 years in prison for Possession of a Controlled Substance with the Intent to Deliver, a Class X felony. Milby, a prior-convicted drug dealer, was stopped by Dixon Police for having an obscured license plate. When police approached the vehicle, Milby had a large bag of cocaine on his lap and over $3,000.00 in cash in his pockets. Milby is eligible for parole in 2015.

10 Years in prison for dealing drugs. Brian Cox, 47, was caught by a concealed Dixon Police Deparment camera delivering drugs to a confidential informant. Cox received 10 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections.

10 Years in prison for dealing drugs. Alan C. Walker, 51, of Dixon was sentenced to 10 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections for Manufacture and Delivery of a Controlled Substance.

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