Saturday will be the last day on the job for Wabash County Sheriff’s deputy Dylon Root who is leaving for the Illinois State Police. Sheriff Derek Morgan said D. J. Van Wormer is in Belleville completing training to replace Root. T. J. Smerdon has been tabbed to replace Van Wormer as the new court security officer. Smerdon, who is currently a part time corrections officer, will complete a firearms class before he begins his new duties by the end of this month. Morgan said his department still has an opening for a full-time corrections officer.
Jury Finds Howder Guilty On All Counts
It took a Wabash County jury only about 90 minutes Thursday afternoon to convict 59 year old Glen Howder of sexually abusing a family member and instructing her to take lewd photos of herself. Howder was found guilty of the Class X felony of child porn and two counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse for the incidents that occurred in September of 2017.
The trial resumed Thursday morning with state’s attorney Kelli Storckman resting the state’s case.
Defense attorney David Benney’s sole witness was Howder who denied all of the allegations against him saying he had no explanation as to how pornographic photos of young girls were found on his phone.
During her closing argument, Storckman asked jurors not to believe Howder’s denials saying “he did it and he lied”.
Binney countered during his argument to the juror that Howder was the victim of a family witch hunt led by an ex-wife who despised him.
But in the end, the juror returned the guilty verdicts. Howder will be sentenced on the Class X and two Class 2 felonies on April 25th. The Class X felony carries a prison term of between 6 and 30 years while the Class 2 felonies carry a possible prison sentence of 3 to 7 years.
Semi Driver Injured In Early Morning Wabash County Crash
ISP TRAFFIC CRASH ALERT
WHAT: Single Vehicle Personal Injury Traffic Crash
WHERE: Illinois Route 1 just north of CR 1690 Blvd., Wabash County
WHEN: March 10, 2022 at approximately 1:24 a.m.
VEHICLE: Unit 1- 2009 Blue Peterbilt Truck-Tractor Semi-Trailer Combination
DRIVER: Unit 1- Earl Christianson, 65-year-old male from Onalaska, WI – Transported by ambulance to an area hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
PRELIMINARY: Preliminary investigation indicates the following occurred: Unit 1 was traveling south on Illinois Route 1 just north of CR 1690 Blvd. in Wabash County. The driver of Unit 1 ran off the road to the right and rolled over in the right ditch. Unit 1 driver was transported by ambulance to an area hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
CHARGES: The driver of Unit 1 was cited for Improper Lane Usage.
Health Board Looking To Fill Vacancy
There’s a vacancy on the Wabash County health board. Carolyn Peach resigned from the health board after their February meeting at which Peach was one of the board members who voted to move administrator Judy Wissel from hourly pay to a salary. The board of health will be reviewing applications for her replacement at their meeting this afternoon and then bring the board’s recommendation to county commissioners for approval at their March 21st.
Law Enforcement Witnesses Testify At Howder Trial
Day two of testimony in the child porn trial of Gary Howder featured a long line of law enforcement officers.
The 59 year old Lawrenceville man is charged with child porn and aggravated criminal sexual abuse in connection to alleged incidents in September of 2017 with a family member.
The most compelling witness was the final one of the day as Illinois State Police digital forensic examiner Mark Shefpick testified as to his probe into cell phones belonging to Howder. Jurors were shown three images alleged to be child porn that Shefpick lifted from Howder’s phones.
During cross examination, defense counsel David Benney was able to get Shefpick to admit the images may not have actually been produced on the phone and could have been transferred from another device.
Other witnesses yesterday included Guardian Center executive director Sheryl Woodham who interviewed the alleged victim in 2017, a video which was played for the jury.
Also testifying were Illinois State Police investigator Rick White, Wabash County Sheriff Derek Morgan, and former sheriff’s deputy James Sullivan who was the initial lead investigator in the case.
State’s attorney Kelli Storckman indicated the state will rest its’ case at some point this morning.
Geff Woman Killed In Route 15 Crash
ISP TRAFFIC CRASH ALERT
WHAT: Two Vehicle Fatal Traffic Crash
WHERE: Illinois Route 15 just east of 105 E., Wayne County
WHEN: March 9, 2022 at approximately 12:05 p.m.
VEHICLES: Unit 1- 2014 White Buick Enclave
Unit 2- 1996 Tan Volvo Truck-Tractor Semi-Trailer Combination
DRIVERS: Unit 1- Kathy Richardson, 68-year-old female from Geff, IL – Deceased
Unit 2- Robert Cline, 45-year-old male from Cisne, IL
PASSENGER: Unit 1- 12-year-old female from Fairfield, IL
PRELIMINARY: Preliminary investigation indicates the following occurred: Unit 2 was traveling west on Illinois Route 15 just east of 105 E. in Wayne County. Unit 1 was traveling east at the same location. For unknown reasons, the driver of Unit 1 crossed the centerline. Unit 2 driver swerved right and attempted to avoid a collision but was struck in the front driver side by Unit 1. The driver of Unit 1 was pronounced deceased on scene by the Wayne County Coroner. The driver of Unit 2 and the passenger of Unit 1 reported no injuries. The roadway was closed during the crash investigation and was opened at approximately 4:40 p.m. No further information is available at this time.
ISP ARREST FLORA MAN FOR DRUG INDUCED HOMICIDE
Flora, IL - On March 9, 2022, Illinois State Police (ISP) Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) Zone 8 announce the arrest of Phillip Blaine Henson, a 52-year-old male from Flora, IL, for Drug Induced Homicide (Class X Felony).
On November 17, 2022, at approximately 1:26 p.m., the ISP DCI - Zone 8 was requested to conduct a death investigation in Flora, IL. A female, later identified as Stephanie L. Harrell, a 54-year-old of Flora, IL, was found deceased in her vehicle parked in an agricultural field entrance on Olive Street, just north of US Highway 50 in Clay County.
On March 8, 2022, Phillip Blaine Henson was charged with Drug Induced Homicide (Class X Felony), filed in the Circuit Court for the Fourth Judicial Circuit of Illinois in Clay County. Henson is currently detained at the Vanderburgh County Jail in Evansville, Indiana with bond of $1,000,000 / 10 % to apply. No further information is available at this time.
ISP DCI - Zone 8 was assisted by the South Eastern Illinois Drug Task Force, Clay County Sheriff’s Office, Flora Police Department, Clay County Coroner’s Office, and ISP Crime Scene Services.
City Rejects Request For Fifth Liquor Store In Mt. Carmel
The Mt. Carmel City Council will not allow a fifth liquor store to open in the city. Jeff Thomas of Comeaux’s Daiquiri Depot appeared at Monday’s City Council meeting asking commissioners to issue a fifth Class C license for packaged liquor stores.
Recently, the city awarded the final open license to an Evansville businessman to open a liquor store in the former Family Video store on Walnut Street.
Thomas said his group has purchased the former Boss Machine Shop at 3rd and Chestnut Streets with plans for a package store with video gaming machines.
But, after Mayor Joe Judge said all of the public feedback he had heard on the new Walnut Street liquor was negative, commissioners made no move to accommodate a fifth liquor store.
Currently, there are 74 video gaming terminals in Mt. Carmel bringing in more than $130,000 for the city since May 1st of last year.
Day One Of Testimony Wraps Up In Howder Trial
Testimony began today in the trial of 59 year old Glen Howder of Lawrenceville who faces charges of child pornography and aggravated criminal sexual abuse.
It’s alleged the incidents that led to Howder’s arrest occurred with a family member in September of 2017.
During opening arguments this morning, assistant attorney general Shannon O’Brien, who is assisting state’s attorney Kelli Storckman with prosecution, laid out how witnesses would confirm Howder committed the crimes via his cell phone while babysitting at the alleged victims’ home in rural Allendale.
But defense attorney David Benney said Howder’s charges stem from a jealous ex-wife who made up the story because she hated her ex because he was spending more time with their grandkids than she was. Benney said Howder will take the stand in his own defense before the trial concludes.
Witnesses today included the alleged victim, her aunt who said allegedly confided the crimes, and her mother.
Testimony resumes tomorrow with former Wabash County Sheriff’s deputy James Sullivan being the first witness called by the prosecution.
Allendale February Students of the Month
Allendale School is proud to announce the Students of the Month from February:
