7-20-18 at 3:24 pm Deputies responded to a two vehicle traffic crash at Il. Rt. 148 at Park St. Road. A 1999 Ford Econoline driven by Michelle J. Leeper age 50 of Herrin was east bound on Park St. Road and failed to stop at the stop sign at the stop sign at the intersection with Rt. 148. The Econoline traveled through the intersection, into the path of a north bound 1997 Ford Ranger, driven by Gaylord E. Eckhoff age78 of Sesser. Gaylord Eckhoff was not injured. Michelle Leeper received minor injuries but refused medical treatment. She was ticketed for disobeying a stop sign.

7-20-18 at 5:00 pm Deputies responded to an incident in rural Thompsonville in which the complainant stated he has been the victim of a theft and also had been struck by a vehicle as the alleged thief fled the scene. The investigation led to the arrest of Dara L. Doan age 39 of West Frankfort. She was charged with aggravated battery, misdemeanor theft and misdemeanor criminal damage to property. The incident is still under investigation and more arrests are possible.

7-21-18 at 5:49 am a Deputy responded to a reported domestic dispute in rural Ewing. The Deputy arrested Joseph J. Chaney age 29 for aggravated domestic battery and was placed in handcuffs in the patrol cars prisoner cage. The Deputy, who was working alone, was attending to the complainant and left Chaney unattended for a short time. During this time, Chaney was able to free himself by apparently “slipping” the handcuffs and escaping the patrol car’s inmate cage by damaging the car’s rear door. A manhunt then began and other Sheriff’s Deputies were summoned, joined by Benton and West City Police Officers. Chaney was eventually located and taken into custody at Lake Benton at approximately 1:00 pm. Both Chaney and a Sheriff’s Deputy were treated for heat exhaustion at a local hospital. Chaney is being held in the Franklin County Jail on charges of aggravated domestic battery, felony escape from a Peace Officer and felony criminal damage to Government supported property. Both the Sheriff’s K-9 and Benton Police’s K-9 were deployed in the manhunt. The Sheriff’s Office gratefully acknowledges the assistance of both the Benton and West City Police, as well as Abbott E.M.S.

7-21-18 at 4:30 pm Deputies responded to a reported domestic dispute at the North Marcum Beach area of Rend Lake. The investigation resulted in the arrests of Jeremy L. Connor age 34 and Michelle A. Connor age 33, both of Christopher and both for domestic battery.

7-21-18 at 10:34 pm Deputies responded to a reported disturbance in the North Sandusky Campground at Rend Lake. The investigation resulted in the arrest of Caleb M.D. Czak age 19 of Mt. Carmel for aggravated battery.

7-22-18 at 5:37 pm Deputies responded to a two vehicle traffic crash on Rend City Road ¼ mile east of Water Road. A 2001 Oldsmobile Alero was west bound on South Rend City Road behind a 2014 Chevrolet Equinox that was also west bound. The Alero attempted to pass the Equinox as the Equinox was trying to make a left turn, causing a collision. There were no injuries and the driver of the Alero, Breanna L. Slack age 16 of Sesser was ticketed for improper passing and failing to reduce speed to avoid a crash.

7-23-18 at 9:38 am Deputies responded to a single vehicle traffic crash in Orient. A 2004 Chevrolet Silverado, driven by Fredrick N. Bowling age 33 of West Frankfort, was south bound on Lincoln Street, lost control, ran off the roadway to the west, over corrected and ran off the roadway to the east, struck a utility pole and then a tree. The driver received major injuries and was transported to a local hospital by West Frankfort Fire E.M.S. He was ticketed for failure to reduce speed to avoid a crash.

7-23-18 at 3:28 pm Deputies responded to a two vehicle traffic crash on Yellow Banks Road at Dry Road. A 2002 Dodge Grand Caravan driven by Jacqueline Reimer age 51 of Christopher was east bound when a 1985 Honda 3-wheel A.T.V. pulled into the path of the Grand Caravan from Dry Road, attempting to cross Yellow Banks Road and proceed south on Dry Road. The A.T.V. was driven by Matthew D. Gunn age 26 of Christopher. He received major injuries and was transported to a local hospital by West Frankfort E.M.S. He was ticketed for failure to yield right of way, operating an uninsured vehicle and improper operation of an A.T.V. on the roadway. A passenger on the A.T.V. Katie N. Gunn age 26 of Christopher received major injuries and was air evacuated out to an out of state hospital. There were no injuries reported to any of the occupants of the Grand Caravan.

7-24-18 at 12:37 pm Deputies responded to a two vehicle traffic crash on Il. State Highway Rt. 149 just east of West Frankfort. A 2007 Hyundai Sonata driven by Shirley F. Mondino age 72 of West Frankfort was stopped on Rt. 149, facing east waiting for traffic to clear intending to make a left turn (north) into a private driveway. A 2010 Chevrolet Traverse, driven by Judith E. Prock age 75 of Thompsonville, was also east bound and struck the Sonata in a rear-end type collision. Shirley Mondino received major injuries and was transported to a local hospital by West Frankfort Fire E.M.S. Judith Prock also received major injuries and was transported to a local hospital by West Frankfort E.M.S. Prock was ticketed for failure to reduce speed to avoid a crash.

7-24-18 at 5:56 pm Deputies responded to a domestic dispute in Orient. The investigation resulted in the arrest of Rachael E. Pollack age 40 of Orient for domestic battery.

7-24-18 Deputies are investigation the thefts of two vehicles from the same rural Mulkeytown residence. One of the vehicles was subsequently recovered near Desoto in Jackson County. Another vehicle reported stolen from the state of Kansas was also recovered in the general area in rural Mulkeytown. These thefts may be related to a series of vehicle thefts that occurred in Perry County.

7-25-18 at 9:44 pm Deputies responded to a reported disturbance in Freeman Spur. The incident resulted in the arrest of Jesse D. Mcclure age 47 of Freeman Spur for an active warrant for failure to appear on traffic charges and for resisting arrest.

7-25-18 at 6:37 pm Deputies are investing a motor vehicle theft in rural West Frankfort. This theft is believed to be related to an earlier motor vehicle theft that occurred in Benton. A 17 year old male has been arrested in connection with that theft. He is being held in the Franklin County Juvenile Detention Center. More arrest are anticipated. The vehicle stolen from rural West Frankfort has been recovered in rural West Frankfort, wrecked in a ditch.

WARRANT ARRESTS

7-23-18 Kevin R. Lee age 48 of West Frankfort. Failure to appear on unlawful violation of an order of protection.

7-24-18 Jeromy V. Boccok age 37 of Marion. Predatory criminal sexual assault of a child and aggravated criminal sexual abuse.

7-25-18 Trina L. Greenwood age 49 of Benton. Failure to appear on traffic charges.

7-27-18 Michael A. Perkins age 38 of West Frankfort. Failure to appear for residential burglary.

The public is reminded that all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Former Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s wife is reaching out to President Donald Trump seeking a presidential pardon for her husband. If Trump freed Blagojevich today, which one of Illinois’ leading candidates for governor would it hurt the most?

Here’s a link to the story at Illinois News Network.

BENTON — Sentencing has been postponed for Brian Pheasant, the man convicted of the 2016 murder of his wife, Beth Pheasant.

Here’s a link to the story at the Southern Illinoisan.