Nicole Bowersock sentenced for drug induced homicide

[July 26, 2018]  On July 20, 2018, Nicole Bowersock was sentenced pursuant to a fully negotiated plea agreement to 15 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections for the offense of Drug Induced Homicide, a class X felony.

This sentence will be followed by 3 years of mandatory supervised release (formerly known as parole). Based upon truth-in-sentencing laws, Nicole Bowersock will serve 75% of the 15 year sentence before becoming eligible for mandatory supervised release.

This case is the result of the heroin overdose death of Kayla Mehan that occurred on December 14, 2016. Based upon the cause of death, Lincoln Police began an investigation that revealed Kayla Mehan had reached out to Nicole Bowersock to buy $80 worth of heroin during the late hours of December 12, 2016. Nicole Bowersock agreed to do so. Kayla Mehan, and her then boyfriend Pedro Carillo, drove Nicole Bowersock to Springfield, Illinois to purchase heroin from Nicole Bowersock’s supplier. Once that purchase was made, Nicole Bowersock gave the heroin to Kayla Mehan for the agreed $80 price. Upon returning to Lincoln early December 13th, Kayla Mehan injected a portion of that heroin which lead to her death. Pedro Carillo discovered Kayla Mehan unconscious later that day. Kayla Mehan was given medical treatment but passed away on December 14, 2016.

“Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with the family of Kayla Mehan,” stated Jonathan C. Wright. “It is our hope that this sentence will serve as a warning. First, to those battling with heroin addiction, may Kayla’s tragic and untimely death be a reminder of the danger of this drug. Second, to those dealing heroin in our communities, may this serve as a reminder that law enforcement will pursue serious consequences upon those who traffic this dangerous drug,” continued Wright.

[Jonathan C. Wright
Logan County State’s Attorney]