On July 2, 2018 Benton Police were dispatched to Dollar General located at 1005 East Main Street in reference to retail theft.

Upon investigating, police arrested Teresa G. Estep, age 50, of Benton for retail theft.

Estep was charged and transported to the Franklin County Jail for further processing.

On July 2, 2018 Benton Police arrested Traci L. Jackson, age 40 , of Marion on an active warrant for the United States Southern District court.

Jackson was transported to the Franklin County Jail for further processing.

6-22-18 at 12:57 pm Deputies responded to a reported domestic disturbance at a residence in rural Benton. The investigation resulted in the arrests of Alex M. Stewart age 33 of Benton for unlawful possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia.  The case is still under investigation and more charges and arrests are possible.

6-22-18 Deputies responded to a residential burglary in rural West Frankfort where a large amount of jewelry was taken. Leads are being pursued at this time.

6-22-18 Deputies investigated a domestic dispute that had previously occurred in rural Sesser. The investigation resulted in the arrest of Tony C. Swift age 36 of Sesser for criminal damage to property.

6-26-18 at 1:17 pm a traffic stop at Rend Lake resulted in the arrest of Brianne L. Deason age 32 of West Frankfort for an outstanding Massac County warrant for failure to appear on possessing a controlled substance charge.

6-28-18 at 4:48 am Deputies responded to a single vehicle traffic crash on Izaac Walton Road ¼ mile east of North Knight Road. A 2007 Chevrolet driven by Joseph F. Deinnger age 38 of St. Mary’s Ohio, was west bound on Izaac Walton Road and stated he swerved to avoid a deer and left the roadway into a cornfield.  The driver was not injured and was cited for leaving the scene of a property damage crash.

6-28-18 a traffic stop in rural Benton resulted in the arrest of James M. Holland age 46 of West Frankfort for driving while license suspended.

6-30-18 at 2:19 am Deputies responded to a single vehicle traffic crash on Old Marion Road south of West Frankfort. A 2008 Volkswagen Jetta driven by Travis M. Foster-Tarlton age 22 of Benton was south bound on Old Marion Road when the driver stated that he swerved to avoid a deer, lost control and ran into the west side ditch.  The driver was not injures and was ticketed for failure to reduce speed to avoid a crash and for operating an uninsured motor vehicle.

6-30-18 at 8:00 pm Deputies responded to a disturbance at North Marcum Beach, Rend Lake. The investigation led to the arrest of Bryan S. Presley age 24 of Mt. Vernon for felony criminal damage to property and resisting arrest.

7-1-18 at 4:54 pm Deputies responded to a single vehicle traffic crash on Akin Blacktop. A 2009 Hyundai Sonata driven by Daniel R. Mickey age 55 of Thompsonville, was east bound and drove through the yard of a private residence , damaging a fence post and a corner of the residence.  The driver and vehicle then fled the scene.  The driver was later located uninjured.  He was arrested for driving while license suspended and leaving the scene of a propery damage traffic crash.

Advisory: Heat Advisory until 08:00PM Thursday

…HEAT ADVISORY NOW IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM WEDNESDAY TO 8 PM CDT THURSDAY…

* HEAT INDEX…peaking from 102 to 110 degrees Wednesday, Independence Day afternoon, and again Thursday afternoon.

* IMPACTS…The combination of hot temperatures and high humidity will likely lead to an increased risk of heat related stress and illness. The very young, the elderly, those without air conditioning, and those participating in strenuous outdoor activities will be the most susceptible. Also, car interiors can reach lethal temperatures in a matter of minutes.

* AFFECTED AREAS: ALEXANDER … EDWARDS … FRANKLIN … GALLATIN … HAMILTON … HARDIN … JACKSON … JEFFERSON … JOHNSON … MASSAC … PERRY … POPE … PULASKI … SALINE … UNION … WABASH … WAYNE … WHITE … WILLIAMSON

Instructions:

The heat and humidity over the next couple of days will be extremely dangerous. Given the number out outdoor activities associated with the 4th of July, the concern for heat related illnesses is only heightened. Take extra care over the next couple of days. The heat will be stifling for those outdoors, with little relief in the shade expected, as very light wind is forecast. Spend as much time indoors during peak heating in air conditioning as you can. Only minor relief is anticipated at sunset, through about 10 p.m. as heat indices will still be in the upper 80s to mid 90s the evening of the 4th.

For full details, view this message on the web.

On June 29, 2018 Benton Police conducted a traffic stop at the intersection of Route 14 and Central Street.

During the stop, Benton Police K9 “Ranger” alerted on the odor of illegal narcotics in the vehicle.   Upon investigating, police arrested the driver Jason Pruitt, age 33, of Madison IL for unlawful possession of methamphetamine and driving while license revoked.  Pruitt was charged and transported to the Franklin County Jail for further processing.

On June 29,2018 Benton Police were dispatched to the area of the intersection of East Main and McLeansboro Street in reference to a verbal altercation.

Upon investigating, police arrested Adam J. Matthias, age 29, of Benton for unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia and unlawful possession of methamphetamine.

On June 29, 2018 Benton Police arrested Dennis C. Summers, age 24, of Bonnie, IL on an active Franklin County warrant for petition to revoke.

Summers was transported to the Franklin County Jail for further processing.

The month of June began in Chicago with three children 15 and younger shot over three days. It ended with five kids shot over a weekend.

Here’s a link to the story at the Chicago Tribune.

State Sen. Sam McCann will appear on the November ballot as a third-party candidate for governor after Republicans aligned with Gov. Bruce Rauner declined to challenge his candidacy.

Here’s a link to the story at the Chicago Tribune.

On June 21, 2018 Benton Police were dispatched to the 500 block of Madison Street in reference to a battery complaint.

Upon investigating, police arrested Ashley L. Tison, age 31, of Benton for battery.

Tison was charged and transported to the Franklin County Jail for further processing.

On June 22, 2018 Benton Police arrested Dustin H. Keller, age 33, of Benton for unlawful failure to register as a sex offender.

Keller was charged and transported to the Franklin County Jail for further processing.

On June 23, 2018 Benton Police arrested Jarrett J. Mintz, age 32, of Benton for an active Franklin County warrant for failure to appear.

Mintz was transported to the Franklin County Jail for further processing.

On June 23, 2018 Benton Police were dispatched to the 500 block of North Main Street in reference to hit and run.

Upon investigating, police located the driver of the vehicle identified as John S. Williams, age 27, of Newark, DE who was arrested for driving on a suspended license.  The passenger was also located and identified as Khiara M. Braden, age 40, of Ashland City, TN who was arrested for obstructing justice.

Both Williams and Braden were charged and transported to the Franklin County Jail for further processing.

On June 24, 2018 Benton Police were dispatched to the 300 block of South Main Street in reference to a report of a stolen vehicle.

Upon investigating, police later arrested James M. Lenzie, age 29, of West Frankfort, for theft of a motor vehicle.   Lenzie was charged and transported to the Franklin County Jail for further processing.

On June 16, 2018 Benton Police conducted a traffic stop at the intersection of Madison and East Main Street.  During the stop, Benton Police K9 “Ranger” alerted to the odor of illegal narcotics in the vehicle.  Upon investigating further a passenger identified as Rodney G. Sailliez, age 47, of Benton was arrested for unlawful possession of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia.  Sailliez was charged and transported to the Franklin County Jail for further processing.

On June 16, 2018 at approximately 11:50 p.m. Benton Police stopped a male subject walking in the 600 block of Jesse Street.  Upon investigating, the subject identified as 33 year old Mitchell T. Mann of Benton was found to be in possession of methamphetamine.  Mann was charged and transported to the Franklin County Jail.

On June 17, 2018 Benton Police were dispatched to the 600 block of Dial Street in reference to a domestic disturbance.  Upon investigating, police arrested Brett C. Coulter, age 28, of DuQuoin for domestic battery, criminal trespass to a residence, criminal damage to property, and resisting a peace officer.  Coulter was charged and transported to the Franklin County Jail for further processing.

On June 19, 2018 Benton Police were dispatched to the 400 block of West Webster Street in reference to a domestic disturbance.  Upon investigating, police arrested Aaron A. Hargett, age 19, of Benton for domestic battery.  Hargett was charged and transported to the Franklin County Jail for further processing.