Former Sheriff Jailers – GUILTY!

EDGAR CO. – 

More corruption confirmed under the watch of former Edgar County Sheriff Tim Crippes.  As if his own illegal gun running and official misconduct isn’t bad enough we now have convictions on two of his Jailers, Kent Rhoads and Jason Ball.

Information provided to the Watchdogs outline there were efforts by the State Police to have Tim Crippes charged with Official Misconduct for an attempted cover up of his jailers actions, however; so far that has never happened.  As we gather more information on that we will update accordingly.   Word on the street is that Tim Crippes helped these jailers get a job as correctional officer in Indiana in the middle of this whole mess.  State Police intervention in this case brought that to a stop and led to the arrests of both men.  

As of June 6th, 2012, Edgar County is smacked in the face with yet another black eye, this one caused by correction officers who worked for Tim Crippes.    At what point will the people of this county stand up and say enough is enough?  Where are the leaders in this community that will lead the charge in exposing all the corruption and nepotism?   

We The People must stand together and demand accountability and hold people responsible for the crimes they commit.  Sadly this case is another example of a broke system.  It took an outside agency to clean house.  When will we clean our own?

Details on the convicts are as follows:

RHOADS, KENT A – Cause called to hearing in Coles County. AAG Lamken present. Deft present w/counsel, Mr. Ryan. Deft enters plea of guilty to Count II (bringing electrical contraband into a penal institution). Stipulated bench trial occurs with regard to Counts VI and VII (custodial sexual misconduct-2 counts) . Court finds Deft guilty as to Counts VI and VII after the stipulated bench trial. Judgments entered on Counts II, VI and VII. On motion of the State, Counts I, III, IV, and V are withdrawn. Pursuant to agreement, on Count II, Deft is placed on probation for 48 months, usual terms, and probation for 30 months on Counts VI and VII, with the probation to run concurrently. Deft ordered to serve six months in the Clark County Jail, day for day to apply, with Deft to pay the costs of incarceration of $40 a day to Clark County to be taken from Deft’s bond. Mittimus to issue June 20, 2012 at 6:00 p.m. Deft ordered to surrender to the Clark County Jail on that date and time. Clerk to send the mittimus to the Clark County Jail. Deft further ordered to pay a fine of $3,500 plus court costs, comply with the DNA and pay costs associated therewith. As to Counts VI and VII, he shall undergo a sex offender evaluation and follow through with treatment recom- mendations. He shall register as a sex offender for a period of ten years. Court finds that the victims in this case are adults and not children. Deft further ordered to pay a sex offender fine of $500. Bond on file ordered invaded and applied, first toward the jail costs. Deft ordered to report to Edgar County Probation Dept following his return to Edgar County today. Deft advised of rights of appeal. Deft given escape admonitions and admonitions about sex offender re- porting. Clerk directed to forward copies of the mittimus and the probation orders to all counsel of record. Deft further ordered to have no contact with the victims.

 BALL, JASON R – Cause called to hearing in Coles County. AAG Lamken present. Deft present w/counsel, Mr. Tulin. Deft enters guilty plea to Count I (bringing electrical contraband into a penal institution). Stipulated bench trial occurs with regard to Count IV. Court finds Deft guilty as to Count IV (custodial sexual misconduct-1 count) after the stipulated bench trial. Judgments entered on Counts I and IV. On motion of the State, Counts II, III, V, VI, and VII are withdrawn. Pursuant to agreement, on Count I, Deft placed on probation for 48 months, usual terms, and probation for 30 months on Count IV, with the probation to run concurrently. Deft ordered to serve six months in the Clark County Jail, day for day to apply, with Deft to pay the costs of incarceration of $40 a day to Clark County to be taken from Deft’s bond. Mittimus to issue June 20, 2012 at 6:00 p.m. Deft ordered to surrender to the Clark County Jail on that date and time. Clerk to send the mittimus to the Clark County Jail. Deft further ordered to pay fine of $3,500 plus court costs, comply with the DNA and pay costs associated therewith. As to Count IV, he shall undergo a sex offender evaluation and follow through with treatment recommendations. He shall register as a sex offender for a period of ten years. Court finds that the victim in this case is an adult and not a child. Deft further ordered to pay a sex offender fine of $500. Bond on file ordered invaded and applied, first toward the jail costs. Deft ordered to report to Edgar County Probation Dept following his return to Edgar County today. Deft advised of rights of appeal. Deft given escape admonitions and admonitions regarding sex offender reporting. Clerk directed to forward copies of the mittimus and the probation orders to all counsel of record. Deft further ordered to have no contact with the victim.

Custodial Sexual Misconduct is a Class 3 Felony

http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/documents/072000050K11-9.2.htm

Unauthorized bringing of contraband into a penal institution by an employee is a class 1 felony

http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/documents/072000050K31A-1.2.htm