PRESS RELEASE
February 17th, 2009
Sheriff’s Deputies obtain FIVE felony DUI charges in two days.
Is still in custody at the St. Clair County Jail. On 02-14-09 at 12:30 AM Inv. Scott Toth stopped him because he pulled out right in front of him. Inv. Toth stopped him in the 800 block of East Main Street in Belleville. His driver’s license was revoked for a previous DUI and he was also arrested for being drunk. On 02-14-09 the St. Clair County State’s Attorney’s Office charged him with felony DUI and felony driving while license revoked and a judge issued a $25,000.00 bond.
Posted bond from the St. Clair County Jail on Saturday. On 02-13-08 at 7:30 PM Capt. Steve Johnson pulled him over for following too close behind another vehicle on Rt. 15 near Rt. 13 in Freeburg. His driver’s license was revoked for a previous DUI and he was also arrested for being drunk. On 02-14-09 the St. Clair County State’s Attorney’s Office charged him with felony DUI and felony driving while license revoked and a judge issued a $25,000.00 bond.
Is still in custody in the St. Clair County Jail. On 02-13-09 at 1:00 AM Inv. Pat Walters was stopped in a parking lot speaking with Belleville Police Officer Steve Britt when they saw a vehicle driving towards them on A Street near Jackson Street in Belleville. The vehicle ran a stop sign and headed directly towards the police cars. The police cars backed rapidly but the vehicle then ran into three parked cars. The driver tried to back up and escape but Inv. Walters and Officer Britt turned on their emergency lights to stop the driver. The driver then rammed into Officer Britt’s squad car. Officers rushed up to his vehicle had to forcibly remove him from the vehicle. The suspect continued to fight and Officers finally used a Taser to stop him. The Taser did not immediately stop his resistance and fighting so other Officers were called to the scene. The suspect was finally taken into custody. An ambulance was called to the scene to ensure the suspect was not hurt. Officers also had minor cuts and injuries due to the resistance. He was then transported to the St. Clair County Jail by Inv. Walters. He later registered an alcohol amount almost 3 times the legal limit. On 02-13-09 the St. Clair County State’s Attorney’s Office charged him with felony DUI, misdemeanor driving with a suspended license, and two counts of resisting a police officer. His bond is $20,000.00.
Is still in custody in the St. Clair County Jail. On 02-11-09 Dep. Kiwon Guyton responded to a one vehicle traffic crash on Stolle Road at Triple Lakes Road near unincorporated Cahokia. The driver of the vehicle was determined to not have a driver’s license and to be drunk. Dep. Guyton arrested him and transported him to the county jail. On 02-13-09 the St. Clair County State’s Attorney’s Office charged him with felony DUI and misdemeanor driving on a revoked license. A judge issued a $10,000.00 bond.
Posted bond from the St. Clair County Jail on Saturday. On 02-13-09 at 1:00 AM Inv. Desmond Williams responded to a one vehicle traffic crash on Baldwin Road near Randolph County Line Road in unincorporated New Athens. The driver was drunk and did not have a driver’s license. Inv. Williams arrested him and transported him to the county jail. On 02-13-09 the St. Clair County State’s Attorney’s Office charged him with felony DUI and misdemeanor driving on a suspended license. A judge issued a $10,000.00 bond.
All of the Deputies were working extra patrols as a result of a local area patrol grant provided by the Illinois Department of Transportation. The goals of the grant include traffic violations, seat belts, child restraint, open alcohol and driving while under the influence violations. “Due to substantial reporting requirements imposed by the court system a DUI arrest takes a Deputy off the street anywhere from two to three hours to process paperwork. Sometimes these reports take longer than a homicide report. But, there is no task(s) where more lives can be saved than arresting drunk drivers. Arresting one drunk may save the lives of a family of five. The St. Clair County State’s Attorney’s Office works closely with us on charging these violators,” said Capt. Steve Johnson.
All suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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Captain Steve Johnson
Chief Investigator
Criminal Investigation Section
St. Clair County Sheriff’s Department
618-277-3505 x5715
