JEFFERSON COUNTY — Jefferson County State’s Attorney Doug Hoffman announced today that several individuals have recently been sentenced in Jefferson County Court.
29-year-old Thomas Whipple, of Mt. Vernon was sentenced to 14 ½ years in the Illinois Department of Corrections after he pleaded guilty to unlawful participation in methamphetamine production – a Class X felony.
According to court records, on August 16, sheriff’s deputies investigated reports of a chemical smell coming from a wooded area near the Red Carpet Inn in Dix, and located a meth lab. An investigation led to the arrest of Whipple and two other individuals.
In addition to his prison sentence, Whipple must pay a $3,000 drug assessment fee and will have to serve 3 years supervised release upon completion of his prison term.
A 24-year-old Mt. Vernon man was sentenced to 4-years in prison after he entered an open plea of guilty to a Class 4 felony charge for reckless conduct.
On April 9, sheriff’s deputies investigated a report of an infant child suffering from serious burns to her face. During the investigation police determined that while the child was in his care, Norman Overturf consumed an illegal drug and passed out. The child then came into contact with a space heater that was left on and was burned. The child has made a full recovery.
A plea agreement with the state recommended a prison sentence within the one to three year range, but Judge Jerry Crisel gave Overturf an extended range sentence due to a previous felony conviction.
37-year-old Shawn Flatt, of Mt. Vernon pleaded guilty to two Class 3 felony charges for unlawful possession of methamphetamine. He was sentenced to two years and three years respectively, followed by one year parole. The sentences are to be served consecutively, for a total of 5-years.
A guilty plea to a Class 2 felony burglary charge netted 21-year-old Orlando Dotts, of Mt. Vernon a 3-year prison sentence.
Court records show Mt. Vernon police investigated a report of a garage in Mt. Vernon being broken into on July 6. The investigation determined Dotts and another individual were responsible.