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St. Clair deputies search for sex offender

News-Democrat

St. Clair County Sheriff's deputies hope the public can help them locate a convicted sex offender wanted for failing to register as a sex offender.

Steven R. Wilkerson, 43, last known to be living at 10240 N. Reader Road in Lebanon, is being sought by the St. Clair County Sheriff's Department.

St. Clair County Deputy Pat Walter attempted to make contact with Wilkerson for a sex offender registration compliance check at the Lebanon address he listed as his home address, according to Capt. Steve Johnson.

Steven Wilkerson. - Provided/BND

Walter was unable to locate Wilkerson at the address and a resident at the home informed the officer that Wilkerson is no longer living at the residence and had not lived there for several months.

Wilkerson is a white male, 6 feet tall and weighs around 200 pounds. He has gray hair and blue eyes.

Anyone with any information about Wilkerson's location can call Investigator Matthew Jany at 277-3505 ext. 5712 or Sgt. Daniel Stockett at 277-3505 ext. 5734.

A second man wanted by the St. Clair County Sheriff's Department for failing to register as a sex offender was arrested Thursday morning.

John D. Whitehead, 43, last known address 126 Adeline Drive Apt. 6 in Belleville, was arrested Thursday morning in Pontoon Beach.

Whitehead remains in custody in the St. Clair County Jail.

Aggravated Battery with Firearm

PRESS RELEASE

December 17^th, 2009

Aggravated Battery with Firearm

On December 15^th, 2009 at 11:50 PM the St. Clair County Sheriff’s Department received a call from a 38 year old subject who said he just shot someone who was trying to get into his house in the 8100 block of Collinsville Road, unincorporated Collinsville. Deputies responded and upon their arrival spoke with a Madison County Deputy who stated a 17 year old victim had been transported to the hospital who had been shot, either in the chest or back. The victim was found on Collinsville Road just west of Black Lane.

Investigators from the St. Clair County Sheriff’s Department and Illinois State Police Crime Scene responded to the scene. The person who shot the gun, a friend who lived at the residence, the person who was shot and his girlfriend were all interviewed during the investigation. It was determined the person was actually shot when he was about 50 to 75 yards away from the residence. He was in the process of “tagging” (spray painting) the garage with gang graffiti. He is a Latin King Gang member who lives in St. Louis, MO but frequents the State Park area. It was determined he bought three cans of spray paint in Collinsville earlier in the evening.

The person who shot the gun was taken into custody due to the difference in accounts as to what happened. The .38 caliber revolver was also recovered. The person’s FOID card was expired.

Investigators presented the case to the St. Clair County State’s Attorney’s Office and the case was taken under advisement pending further investigation. The person who was shot is in stable condition at a St. Louis Area hospital.

All subjects are presumed 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

16 year old killed in traffic crash

PRESS RELEASE

December 17^th, 2009

16 year old killed in traffic crash

On December 16^th, 2009 at about 7:00 PM the St. Clair County Sheriff’s Department, Millstadt Fire Department and Ambulance were dispatched to a vehicle crash (rollover) with people trapped and the vehicle on fire in the 4900 block of Algonquin Drive in unincorporated Millstadt. Upon their arrival they saw two witnesses who had pulled a front seat passenger from the vehicle because the vehicle was on fire. The subject was transported to Belleville St. Elizabeth’s Hospital then transferred by helicopter to St. Louis University Hospital where he was later pronounced deceased. The deceased was identified as:

Christopher Akers

16 years old

Millstadt, IL 62260

The 16 year old driver and 17 year old rear seat passenger were both transported to a local hospital. Deputies were told by them they had crested the top of a hill and saw a deer standing in the roadway, attempted to avoid the deer, lost control of the vehicle and rolled over several times.

Investigators from the Sheriff’s Department are investigating the fatal traffic crash. Initial investigation shows alcohol was not a factor in the crash.

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Captain Steve Johnson

Chief Investigator

Criminal Investigation Section

St. Clair County Sheriff’s Department

Bowman sentenced to death for 1977 slaying

 

FRIDAY DEC 11 2009 -- Convicted killer Gregory Bowman is escorted into a St. Louis County courtroom to await his formal sentencing for the 1977 murder of Velda Joy Rumfelt. (David Carson/P-D)

By Heather Ratcliffe

ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH

12/11/2009

UPDATED, 1:10 p.m. with correction.
CLAYTON -- A judge today went with the jury's recommendation and sentenced Gregory Bowman to death for the 1977 murder of Velda Joy Rumfelt in St. Louis County.

The only alternative for Circuit Judge David Lee Vincent III would have been to impose a sentence of life without parole. Judges generally follow the jury’s wishes.
Bowman declined comment before the judge read his sentence, but later objected when Vincent called the defendant “cowardly.”
“I never,” Bowman said softly interrupting the judge. “I never. I am not guilty of this.”

Female Scout leader accused of sex with young boy

Charges pending against woman

BY BETH HUNDSDORFER - News-Democrat

St. Clair County sheriff's detectives are investigating a female Boy Scout leader who is accused of molesting a teenage boy on Sunday.

"The boy's parents called us when they came home, and their child was having sexual intercourse with an older female in his bedroom," Sheriff's Capt. Steve Johnson said. "They blocked the female from leaving until deputies arrived.

Deputies arrested the woman, who is being held in the county jail. She has not been charged.

Wendy Rogers. - Provided/BND