Four sentenced to prison in Franklin County Court

Franklin County State’s Attorney Evan L. Owens announces the following defendants were sentenced to the Illinois Department of Corrections:

Jeffery P. Patton, age 34 of West Frankfort, Illinois received two, five-year sentences in the Illinois Department of Corrections with a four-year period of mandatory supervised release for the offenses of aggravated domestic battery and unlawful possession of weapons. The domestic battery offense occurred on May 27, 2011 and the unlawful use of weapons offense occurred on October 5, 2012. The defendant was initial placed on probation for the 2011 domestic battery and his probation was revoked as a result of the new offense. Both cases were investigated by the Franklin County Sheriff’s Department.

Johnny D. Thomas, age 22 of Mt. Vernon, Illinois received a three year sentence to the Illinois Department of Corrections with a one year period of mandatory supervised release for the theft of property in excess of $500 but less than $10,000. The offense occurred on July 17, 2012. The case was investigated by the West Frankfort Police Department.

David Viernum, age 33 of Zeigler, Illinois received a five year sentence to the Illinois Department of Corrections with a one year period of mandatory supervised release for the offense of aggravated battery. The offense occurred on December 18, 2012 and was investigated by the Zeigler Police Department.

Ryan Taylor, age 38 of Benton, Illinois, received a five year sentence to the Illinois Department of Corrections which will be followed by a period of mandatory supervised release of three years to natural life for the offense of aggravated child pornography. The offense occurred on November 26, 2012. In addition to the prison sentence, the defendant will register as a sex offender for life and an order was entered forfeiting his Compaq computer, mouse, Sony Play-station 3, and 26 optical discs to the Benton Police Department. Agents from the Benton Police Department, Franklin County Sheriff’s Department, and United States Secret Service, which form the Southern Illinois Cyber Crimes Unit, conducted the investigation.