Traffic Stop Nets Two Stolen Handguns from Evansville, Two Chicago Men Arrested

Knox County – Early this morning at approximately 12:30, Trooper Hatfield and Trooper Stein stopped the driver of a 2015 Dodge Durango on US 41 near Vincennes for a traffic violation. The driver was identified as Johan Jean, 20, of Chicago. While talking with Jean, an odor of marijuana was detected inside the vehicle. A passenger was identified as Jicah Ajao-Salami, 23, of Chicago. Troopers searched the vehicle and located oxycodone, several unopened packs of marijuana, edible marijuana brownies, and three handguns. Two of the handguns were reported stolen out of Evansville. Jean and Ajao-Salami were arrested and taken to the Knox County Jail where they are currently being held on bond.

Arrested and Charges:

• Johan Jean, 20, Chicago, IL

1. Theft of a Firearm, Class 6 Felony

2. Carrying a Handgun without a License, Class A Misdemeanor

3. Possession of Marijuana, Class A Misdemeanor

4. Possession of a Controlled Substance, Class A Misdemeanor

• Jicah Ajao-Salami, 23, of Chicago, IL

1. Theft of a Firearm, Class 6 Felony

2. Carrying a Handgun without a License, Class A Misdemeanor

Arresting Officers: Trooper Hatfield and Trooper Stein, Indiana State Police

Assisting Officers: Deputy Linenburg and Deputy Gilmore, Knox County Sheriff’s Office

ILLINOIS STATE POLICE ARREST OFFICER FOR SEXUAL/OFFICIAL MISCONDUCT

Springfield, IL – The Illinois State Police (ISP) Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) Zone 4 was requested by the Springfield Police Department (SPD) to investigate a criminal allegation involving the on-duty conduct of Springfield Police Officer Taylor Staff, a 26-year old male of Springfield, IL.  The alleged incidents occurred between January of 2020 through July of 2020 and involved three separate victims, with whom Staff allegedly had inappropriate contact.

 The ISP DCI Zone 4 agents conducted a thorough investigation that culminated in the arrest of Staff.  On Feb. 23, 2021, the Sangamon County State’s Attorney’s office approved an arrest warrant for Staff.  Staff was arrested and charged with Official Misconduct (Class 3 Felony), Criminal Sexual Assault (Class 1 Felony), and Custodial Sexual Misconduct (Class 3 Felony).  Staff is currently being held at the Sangamon County Jail with a $250,000 cash bond.

Newton Man Arrested On Multiple Charges Following Fight In Princeton

On February 24, 2021, at 11:46 p.m. Gibson County Central Dispatch received a report of an ongoing fight at a residence in the 7000 block of South 1100 West. Upon arriving at the residence Deputy Garrett Tuley and Sgt. John Fischer began an investigation into the allegation. During the investigation Deputy Tuley detected the odor of alcohol on 45-year-old Joshua Painter of Newton, Illinois. After speaking with the victim and collecting statements from witnesses Deputy Tuley placed Mr. Painter into custody and transported him to the Gibson County Jail. Upon arriving at the Jail Mr. Painter was charged with Battery, Strangulation, Battery on an Officer, Resisting Law Enforcement, and Intimidation. He remains in custody on a $1500 bond.

All Criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Governor Touring State To Tout Success of HB 3653's Passage

Gov. J.B. Pritzker and several lawmakers are touring the state touting the new justice reform law that was signed this week.

House Bill 3653, meant to reshape criminal justice and policing in Illinois, was passed in the final days of the lame-duck session last month by the General Assembly.

The centerpiece of the massive law is ending cash bail. Almost every person would be released from jail while awaiting trial unless a judge decides otherwise.

At a stop in Peoria Wednesday, sponsors of the bill were asked about the police bodycam mandate and the financial burden on police departments. State Sen. Elgie Sims said there are funds available.

“There’s $2.1 million in the body-worn camera grant fund right now, there’s $3.4 million in the 2022 budget recommendation, and there are continuing discussions about what additional funds will be necessary,” Sims said.

But Ed Wojcicki, executive director of the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police, said they have nothing against body cams, but disagrees with the statements regarding funding.

“Absolutely not,” Wojcicki said. “We heard those statements that some funds are available, but there is not nearly enough to do what this law asks all departments to do.”

Wojcicki says with the body cam mandate, along with the costs of the actual equipment, there are storage issues and the hiring of additional personnel to manage the footage.

One provision says officers cannot review their own body camera video before writing a report. Wojcicki said that is “gotcha” language, and would be like saying television reporters cannot review any video they shot before writing a story for the airwaves.

Village officials in Washburn have voted to eliminate their police department. The mayor said cost increases related to liability and insurance as a result of the crime bill influenced the decision.

Many provisions of the law will take effect on July 1, while others will be phased in over the next four years.

Pritzker Still Not Saying When Illinois Might Reopen To Phase 5

Despite increased vaccine doses coming to the state, and the state expanding who can get the vaccine, Gov. J.B. Pritzker still won't say when the state will enter Phase 5 of his COVID-19 reopening plan.

Thursday marks the beginning of the governor’s expansion of who can get the COVID-19 vaccine. The expansion includes anyone with underlying health conditions. A third vaccine may soon be available after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration reported the Johnson & Johnson single-dose vaccine meets requirements for the agency's emergency-use authorization.

At a stop in Peoria at a vaccination site Wednesday, Pritzker announced the White House plans to send the state 100,000 doses a day by mid-March. But, the governor didn’t give a specific timeframe of when capacity restrictions will be lifted with his Phase 5.

“We’re about 1-in-7 Illinoisans already has their first dose in their arms,” Pritzker said. “We need to get closer to herd immunity.”

He didn’t elaborate on what constitutes “herd immunity.” But he said things are open right now.

“We’ve not had a stay-at-home order since back in April and May,” Pritzker said. “Restaurants are open, bars are open, all across the state of Illinois, gyms are open, we have sports running in our schools, and so on. Not to the extent that we’d all like.”

Last week, Illinois Restaurant Association President Sam Toia told a Senate committee the state needs a plan to reopen, and that should include allowing restaurant and hospitality workers to get the vaccine.

“Not [Phase] 1C, 1B,” Toia said. “We need a plan for predictability and getting workers vaccinated is very important.”

Toia said Illinois’ hospitality sector can’t survive another summer with the current capacity limits of no more than 50 people. He said without clarity on when they'll be a fuller reopening in Illinois, convention organizers will choose other states and never come back.

“When we lose conventions, we lose the mass infusions of spending, restaurant visits, hotel stays and ultimately tax revenues that go to the state and our local municipalities,” Toia said.

Wadesville Man Arrested after Chase on US 41 and I-64

Gibson County – Yesterday afternoon at approximately 3:00, Sergeant Compton was patrolling US 41 near CR 550 South when he observed a black 1997 Ford F-150 pickup truck traveling south at 98 mph. Sgt. Compton attempted to stop the vehicle, but the driver continued south reaching speeds nearly 100 mph. The driver, who was later identified as Joshua Reese, 39, of Wadesville, disregarded the traffic light at SR 68 and then struck a set of stop sticks that were deployed near Warrenton Road. Even though the stop sticks damaged a rear tire, Reese continued west on I-64 reaching speeds of approximately 85 mph. Another set of stop sticks were deployed near the 15-mile marker, which damaged the vehicle’s remaining tires. Reese attempted to exit I-64 at the Poseyville exit, but lost control and came to a final rest in a grassy area between the interstate and the off ramp. Reese was taken into custody without further incident. Troopers searched Reese’s vehicle and found a small amount of marijuana and drug paraphernalia. He was taken to the Posey County Jail where he is currently being held on bond.

Arrested and Charges:

• Joshua Reese, 39, Wadesville, IN

1. Resisting Law Enforcement, Class 6 Felony

2. Reckless Driving, Class B Misdemeanor

3. Possession of Marijuana, Class B Misdemeanor

4. Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Class C Misdemeanor

Media Note: As of 7:15 p.m., a mug photo of Reese was not available.

Assisting Agencies: Gibson County Sheriff’s Office, Posey County Sheriff’s Office, Haubstadt Police and Fort Branch Police

                                                               All criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Two Carmi Residents Killed In Pulaski County Crash With Train

*UPDATED* ISP TRAFFIC CRASH ALERT

The Following Preliminary Information is Being Released by Illinois State Police

District 22

WHAT:                      Single Vehicle vs Cargo Train - Fatal Traffic Crash                                                  

WHERE:                   US 51 at McIntosh Lane (private lane), approximately 1 mile south of Ullin, Pulaski County

WHEN:                      Feb. 23, 2021 at approximately 11:29 a.m.               

VEHICLE:                 Unit 1- 2021 White Ford Truck

DRIVER:                   Unit 1- Lanny Stocke, 76-year-old male from Carmi, IL – Deceased

PASSENGER:           Unit 1- Betty Stocke, 74-year-old female from Carmi, IL – Deceased

PRELIMINARY:      A preliminary investigation indicates the following occurred: Unit 1 was turning west onto a private drive (McIntosh Lane) from US 51 in Pulaski County. The driver of Unit 1 pulled onto a rail crossing directly in the path of a northbound CN railroad train. The train struck Unit 1 and pushed it approximately ½ of a mile before coming to a stop. The driver and passenger of Unit 1 were both pronounced deceased on scene by the Pulaski County Coroner. There was no derailment or road closure. This crash is still under investigation and no further information is available at this time.

Casey Man Injured in Tuesday Night Crash

ILLINOIS STATE POLICE TRAFFIC CRASH ALERT  

The Following Preliminary Information is Being Released by

Illinois State Police District 12 

WHAT:                      Two Vehicle Personal Injury Traffic Crash  

WHERE:                   US 40 approximately ¼ mile west of 830th Street, Clark County 

WHEN:                      Feb. 23, 2021 at approximately 9:31 p.m.              

VEHICLES:              Unit 1- 2020 White Ford Explorer

                                    Unit 2- 2000 Blue Chevrolet Van

DRIVERS:                 Unit 1- Kenneth Woods, 45-year-old male from Casey, IL – Transported by ambulance to an area hospital with serious injuries.

                                    Unit 2- None

PRELIMINARY:      A preliminary investigation indicates the following occurred:  Unit 1 was eastbound on US 40 approximately ¼ mile west of 830th Street in Clark County. Unit 2 was parked unattended, facing east, in the right (south) shoulder of US 40. The driver of Unit 1 sideswiped Unit 2 then overturned several times, coming to rest in a field south of US 40. Unit 2 was pushed to a ditch on the south side of US 40 and came to rest. The driver of Unit 1 was transported by ambulance to an area hospital with serious injuries. This crash is still under investigation and no further information is available at this time.

Despite Pandemic, Illinois Traffic Fatalities Rise In 2020

Illinois traffic deaths rose in 2020 despite reports of fewer people on roads across the state.

Preliminary reports indicate 1,166 people died in crashes around the state last year, an increase of 16-percent from 2019. The overall fatality number hasn’t been that high since back in 2007.

That’s despite data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration that indicates miles traveled by vehicles in the U.S. dropped by more than 14-percent in the first nine months of 2020.

Cathy Chase, president of Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety, says the organization has seen a number of contributing factors as they look at the data.

“Speeding, especially high speeds, drug and alcohol use when getting behind the wheel, riskier driving such as distracted driving,” Chase said. “People also aren't buckling up like they should be.”

According to its website, Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety is an alliance of consumer, medical, public health, law enforcement, and safety groups and insurance companies and agents working together to make America’s roads safer.

Chase says younger drivers have accounted for a disproportionate number of the increased deaths.

“More specifically, it is younger male drivers who have disproportionately been a part of the overall fatalities between April and June,” Chase said. “People are driving distracted. They're using their devices for not just texting and phone calls anymore, but watching videos and doing apps and playing games. The smarter the phone has gotten, the less
smart drivers have gotten.”

New safety measures in passenger cars haven’t been enough to hold down the numbers. Chase says it doesn’t help that features like blind-spot warnings, automatic braking, and lane assist aren’t in widespread use as of yet.

“These advances are trickling into the marketplace,” Chase said. “If there were a requirement [from the U.S. Department of Transportation] that they be standard equipment in new vehicles, then we would see much more of them being a part of the marketplace more quickly.”

She argues that if the requirements were to be adopted across the industry, the cost would not be as steep as perhaps expected.

“We know that when technology is required, the cost goes down,” Chase said. “It’s just the scale of economy. Right now, auto manufacturers can upcharge. You can't just buy one safety system because they typically come in in a luxury package to the tune of $2,000 or $3,000. If there are requirements, then we know that the price will come
down.”

Two Oak Street Projects Closer To Reality

Positive news from Monday’s Mt. Carmel City Council meeting regarding two Oak Street projects. Mayor Joe Judge said an agreement has been reached with Norfolk Southern Railroad to use two crossings on Oak Street for the new sidewalk from 3rd to 9th Street. Judge said the two sides agreed to pay a total of $12,000 for lifetime access to the crossings. Judge said the Illinois Commerce Commission approved the deal and will even pay the $12,000 through a grant.

The second project is repaving Oak Street from 3rd Street to College Drive. Judge said the project is on the Spring bid letting and could be done this fall.

WSJD File Photo: Oak Street near the 9th Street intersection.