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The Logan County Sheriff's
Department concluded a significant drug investigation in June 2013
by arresting 19 individuals. To date, 15 of those individuals have
pled guilty and been sentenced. The most recent dispositions are as
follows:
Billy Trail, Jr. entered into a partially negotiated plea
agreement in Logan County Case No. 13 CF 150 whereby Mr. Trail plead
guilty on one count of Unlawful Delivery of a Controlled Substance
(heroin), a class 2 felony. As part of the plea, the two remaining
counts were dismissed and Logan County Case No. 13-CF-120 was
dismissed. A sentencing hearing was held and Mr. Trail was sentenced
to five (5) years in the Illinois Department of Corrections.
Fabian L. Gardner entered into a fully negotiated plea
agreement in Logan County Case No. 13 CF 152 and was sentenced to
five and one-half (5½) years in the Illinois Department of
Corrections for Unlawful Delivery of a Controlled Substance
(cocaine), a class 2 felony.
Gerald L. Thomas, Jr. entered into a fully negotiated plea in
Logan County Case No. 13-CF-153 and was sentenced to five and
one-half (5½) years in the Illinois Department of Corrections in
Logan County Case for three counts of Unlawful Delivery of a
Controlled Substance (heroin and cocaine), each a class 3 felony.
Trevonte D. Pratt entered into a fully negotiated plea in
Logan County Case No. 13-CF-142 and was sentenced to five and
one-half (5½ ) years in the Illinois Department of Corrections for
Unlawful Delivery of a Controlled Substance (cocaine), a class 2
felony.
Elizabeth Coatney entered into a partially negotiated plea in
Logan County Case No. 13-CF-138 by pleading guilty to Count I –
Unlawful Delivery of a Controlled Substance (cocaine), a class 2
felony. In exchange for the plea, Counts II and III were dismissed
along with Logan County Case No. 13-CF-213. A sentencing hearing was
held and Ms. Coatney was sentenced to four and one-half (4½) years
in the Illinois Department of Corrections.
Brad Parker entered into a partially negotiated plea
agreement in Logan County Case No. 13-CF-143 by pleading guilty to
Count I – Unlawful Delivery of a Controlled Substance (heroin), a
class 2 felony. As part of the plea, Count II was dismissed. A
sentencing hearing was held and Mr. Parker was sentenced to six (6)
years in the Illinois Department of Corrections. Mr. Parker has
filed a Motion to Reconsider the Court's Sentence but it has not yet
been scheduled for hearing.
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Natasha J. Lee entered
into a partially negotiated plea in Logan County Case No.
13-CF-145 by pleading guilty to Count II – Unlawful Delivery of
a Controlled Substance (heroin), a class 3 felony. A sentencing
hearing was held and Ms. Lee was sentenced to 30 months of
probation and 180 days in the Logan County Jail, 100 hours of
Community Service Work, drug and alcohol counseling, and a
mental health evaluation. The Honorable William A. Yoder
sentenced Ms. Lee to probation with drug and alcohol conditions
based, in part, upon her lack of prior criminal history.
Tonya Ballard entered into a
partially negotiated plea agreement in Logan County Case No.
13-CF-140 by pleading guilty to Count I – Unlawful Delivery of a
Controlled Substance (heroin), a class 2 felony. In exchange for the
plea of guilty, the remaining two counts were dismissed. A
sentencing hearing was held and Ms. Ballard was sentenced to 48
months of probation and 180 days in the Logan County Jail with drug
and alcohol conditions. The Honorable William A. Yoder sentenced Ms.
Ballard to probation with drug and alcohol conditions based, in
part, upon her pursuit of drug and alcohol treatment prior to being
arrested for this offense.
"The sentences obtained as part of this covert drug investigation
continue to send a strong message that individuals who deliver those
illegal drugs will suffer serious consequences for their criminal
conduct," said Jonathan Wright.
"To date, fifteen of the nineteen cases charged arising out of this
department's investigation have resulted in convictions. Out of
those fifteen cases, 11 have resulted in sentences to the Illinois
Department of Corrections for a combined total of 55 years. My hope
is that the sentences imposed will deter others from delivering
illegal drugs. We will continue to investigate and arrest
individuals trafficking drugs in Logan County," said Steve Nichols,
Logan County Sheriff.
Each of the individuals arrested in June of this year who still have
pending cases are presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond a
reasonable doubt. [Text
received from Logan County State's Attorney JONATHAN WRIGHT]
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