Lee County Court Docket: Sentencing, Pleas, and Preliminary Hearings

Strategic Insights -

Criminal trials and charges dominated the Lee County court docket this week, with a range of cases from sentencing to pleas and preliminary hearings. A former inmate at the Dixon Correctional Center, John Spires, is set to be sentenced for kidnapping and raping a prison psychologist, while Eric Lemons faces a motion to reconsider a previous ruling in his first-degree murder case. Additionally, defendants charged with various crimes, including drug-induced homicide, concealment of a homicidal death, and possession of firearms by felons, are scheduled to enter pleas or undergo preliminary hearings.

Key Takeaways:

  • John Spires, a 54-year-old former inmate, is scheduled to be sentenced for two counts of aggravated criminal sexual assault with a weapon and forcible detention.
  • Eric Lemons, 28, faces a motion to reconsider a previous ruling in his first-degree murder case, as prosecutors seek to introduce evidence of his relationship with the victim's roommate.
  • Joshua Sheley, 31, is set to go on trial for concealment of a homicidal death and obstructing justice, after helping his brother hide the body of a 93-year-old man in 2008.
  • Terrell Adams and Ashley Buntjer, both 20 and 26, respectively, are scheduled to enter pleas for charges related to possession of controlled substances and firearms by felons.
  • Brandon P. Anjorin, 24, faces a preliminary hearing for charges including armed violence, aggravated battery to a police officer, and resisting a police officer.
  • Daniel Sheimo, 28, is set to undergo a preliminary hearing for charges related to possession and manufacture of marijuana, as well as driving while license revoked.

Statistics:

  • 16 grams of cocaine were found in Ashley Buntjer's Rock Falls house during a parole check.
  • A firearms charge was lodged against 20-year-old Terrell Adams and 26-year-old Ashley Buntjer.
  • A 4-foot-tall cannabis sativa plant was discovered growing in Daniel Sheimo's apartment during a search warrant.
  • John Spires spent 25 hours holding a prison psychologist hostage in a storage closet at the Dixon Correctional Center.

Sources:

  • Daily Gazette, "Lee County Criminal Court Docket," December 14, 2009, http://www.saukvalley.com.
  • McClatchy-Tribune Information Services, "Daily Gazette," Copyright (c) 2009, Sterling, Ill.
  • The Permissions Group Inc., "Daily Gazette," 1247 Milwaukee Ave., Suite 303, Glenview, IL 60025, USA.