A Danville, Illinois, woman, Shaylynn Kight, 25, was sentenced on October 26, 2026, to six months of imprisonment for criminal contempt based on her failure to comply with a federal trial subpoena and testify at a trial in November of 2025.

 

At the sentencing hearing before U.S. District Judge Colin S. Bruce, the evidence showed that Kight intentionally failed to appear and testify at the November 2025 jury trial of Marcus “Slim” McKinney at the federal courthouse in Urbana, Illinois. Prior to receiving a federal trial subpoena for McKinney’s trial, Kight had made statements to law enforcement officials and to a federal grand jury regarding her knowledge of McKinney’s distribution of crystal methamphetamine (“ice”), cocaine, heroin, and fentanyl in Danville in 2023, which included exchanging the drugs with women for sex, and McKinney’s efforts to tamper with witnesses and obstruct the investigation against him. After being served with a subpoena for McKinney’s federal trial, however, Kight failed to appear to testify as required and avoided all attempts by law enforcement to contact her. The Court issued a warrant for criminal contempt, and Kight was arrested on December 4, 2025. She pleaded guilty to criminal contempt on June 30, 2026, for failing to comply with the subpoena.

 

Despite Kight’s failure to testify at McKinney’s trial, the jury convicted McKinney on all counts with which he was charged. In August of this year, Judge Bruce sentenced McKinney to three life sentences based on his drug conspiracy conviction, his prior felony drug offenses, and jury findings that McKinney distributed drugs that resulted in serious bodily injury and death.

 

“A federal trial subpoena compels an individual to appear and testify. It is not an invitation. Our entire system of criminal justice relies on witnesses coming to court and testifying truthfully,” said Supervisory Assistant U.S. Attorney Eugene L. Miller. “Those who would attempt to subvert the jury’s truth-seeking function by failing to appear and testify as required should know that there are criminal consequences for such conduct and that the United States will pursue them.”

 

The investigation was conducted by the Danville Police Department, Homeland Security Investigations, and the Drug Enforcement Administration. Supervisory Assistant U.S. Attorney Eugene L. Miller represented the United States at sentencing.

The Vermilion County Republican Central Committee invites the community to an 
Election Night Watch Party on Tuesday November 3, 2026 beginning at 6:30 p.m. 
at the David S. Palmer Arena 100 W Main St Danville.

The event is open to the public and offers an opportunity to gather and watch 
election results together. Light snacks will be provided and a cash bar will be 
available.

Come join us and bring a friend! Everyone is welcome.

Criminal Damage To Property H26-5776

Date: 10/25/2026

Time: 1:50 p.m.

Location: McFerren Park

Cited: 15-year-ol Hoopeston male

12-year-old Hoopeston male

Details: HPD officers were dispatched to the above location. Both subjects were issued NTA’s for Vermilion County Court and released from the scene.

 

Fire Call

Date: 10/28/2026

Time: 7:54 p.m.

Location: 300 Blk of N 8th Ave

Details: HPD and HFD were dispatched to the above location for an illegal burn.

 

Traffic Accident H26-5843

Date: 10/28/2026

Time: 2:14 p.m.

Location: S Dixie Hwy. / W Orange St.

Unit #1: Jeep Wrangler Driven by Phyllis Hack (F) of Piper City

Unit #2: Chrysler Pacifica Driven by Sandra Mullen (F) of Ambia

Details: Unit #1 failed to come to a complete stop at the stop sign and struck Unit #2 who was in the intersection. No tickets were issued and no injuries were reported.

 

Theft (Over) H26-5817 2026-7631

Date of Incident: 10/27/2026

Time of Incident: 4:00 p.m.

Date of Arrest: 10/28/2026

Time of Arrest: 9:39 p.m.

Location: 1200 Blk of Savannah Ct.

Arrested: Ryley Watson (M) (26) of Hoopeston

Details: Mr. Watson was arrested for the above charge, processed at the Hoopeston Police Department, then later transported to the Danville Public Safety Building to await arraignment.

On Wednesday, October 28, Iroquois County Sheriff’s Police were called to the 200 Block of N. Chestnut about a man needing a psychological evaluation.

 

When police arrived at the home, the man they were checking on, Julian Munoz, 29, was up on the roof.

 

Munoz had a knife in his hand and was causing damage to the home, including breaking windows. Deputies were able to talk Munoz down off of the roof.

 

Deputies then tried to calm the situation down, but Munoz was still seemed on edge. He then charged at the Deputies with his knife. One Deputy fired their weapon and took Munoz down.

 

Deputies called for medical help and gave medical aid to Munoz until they arrived. Munoz was taken to Riverside Hospital. Upon being released from the hospital, he will be charged with aggravated assault and be taken to the Iroquois County Jail.

Fire Call

Date: 10/22/2026

Time: 2:19 p.m.

Location: N. 770 E. Rd./St. Rte. 9

Details: HFD was requested for assistance by Rankin Fire Dept. for a reported field fire.

 

Fire Call

Date: 10/22/2026

Time: 8:44 p.m.

Location: 415 S Dixie, Dollar General

Details: HFD responded to the above location for the smell of gas inside the business then later cleared the scene.

 

Illegal Transportation Alcohol

Date: 10/23/2026

Time: 9:46 p.m.

Location: 500 Blk of W. Penn St.

Cited: Kyle Franklin (M) (37) of Covington, IN

Details: HPD officers conducted a traffic stop at the above location. Mr. Franklin was found to be driving on the above violation. He was issued an NTA for Vermilion County Court and released from the scene.

 

Theft (Under $500) H26-5749

Date: 10/23/2026

Date of Arrest: 10/24/2026

Location: 400 Blk S. 4th St.

Arrested: Austin Johnston (M) (32) of Hoopeston

Details: HPD officers responded to the report of a theft at the above location. After investigation, Mr. Johnston was arrested on the above charges. He was transported to HPD for processing and later transported to the Public Safety Building to await arraignment.

 

 

Fire Call

Date: 10/25/2026

Time: 6:57 p.m.

Location: 600 Blk of W. Washington

Details: HFD responded to the report of an illegal burn. Upon arrival, there was no illegal burn found and all HFD units cleared the scene.

 

Retail Theft (Under) H26-5777

Date: 10/25/2026

Time: 2:28 p.m.

Location: 912 S Dixie Hwy (Casey’s)

Arrested: Jerry Crawley (M) (40) of Hoopeston

Details: HPD officers responded to the report of a retail theft at the above location. After investigation, Mr. Crawley was arrested on the above charges. He was transported to HPD for processing. He was issued an NTA for Vermilion County Court and released from HPD custody.

On October 23, 2026, Dillon Cagle (DOB:6/15/1995), formerly of Decatur, Illinois, pleaded 
guilty to Unlawful Possession of Weapon by Felon – Subsequent Offense, a class 2 felony, and 
was sentenced to 10 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections. Following his term of 
imprisonment, the defendant will serve 1 year of mandatory supervised release. The plea and 
sentencing hearing were presided over by Judge Mark S. Goodwin.
The People presented evidence that on August 12, 2026 at approximately 1:15 a.m., officers with 
the Danville Police Department observed a vehicle commit Illinois Vehicle Code violations, 
including traveling at a high rate of speed and disregarding a stop sign at an intersection. Officers
observed the vehicle turn into the parking lot of an apartment complex. Upon entering the 
parking lot, officers observed the vehicle parked with its headlights off. Officers approached the 
vehicle and made contact with the driver, identified as Candice Williamson, and the front seat 
passenger, identified as Dillon Cagle. Officers subsequently learned that Cagle had two active 
warrants. As officers were removing Cagle from the passenger’s seat to take him into custody on 
the warrants, they observed a revolver protruding from his right front pants pocket, with the 
hammer of the revolver cocked back. Officers disarmed the defendant and took him into custody. 
Officers also located 13 live shotgun shells inside a bag in the front passenger’s side floorboard 
where the defendant had been seated. The driver was also charged in case number 2026-CF-570, 
and the case is pending.
State’s Attorney Jacqueline Lacy said, “This case serves as a chilling reminder of the dangers 
police officers face in the course of their duties. My office remains committed to holding 
individuals accountable for repeated, criminal conduct. We appreciate and support our law 
enforcement officers who work each day to protect our community.”

Fire Call

Date: 10/20/2026

Time: 5:47a.m.

Location: McFerren Park

Details: HFD was called out for a gas leak.

 

 

 

Fire Call

Date: 10/20/2026

Time: 7:22 a.m.

Location: 615 E. Orange St. - Hoopeston Area High School

Details: HFD was dispatched to an active CO detector.

 

 

 

Traffic Accident H26-5691

Date: 10/20/2026

Time: 11:09 a.m.

Location: 1030 W. Chestnut St. - Kirby Foods

Unit #1: 2021 GMC, Driven by Emily Hoeing of Pine Village

Unit #2: Pedestrian, Deborah Swartz of Hoopeston

Details: While traveling Northbound, Unit #1 struck Unit #2, who was walking across the parking lot. Unit #2 sustained injuries and was taken to Carle ER. Unit #1 was insured.

 

 

 

 

Aggravated Fleeing or Attempting to Elude Police; Speeding +35mph Over the Posted Speed Limit; Disobeying Traffic Control Device; Unlawful Display of Registration; Reckless Driving; Failure to Signal when Required; No Valid Driver’s License; Operating Uninsured Vehicle H26-4936

Date of Incident: 09/12/2026

Time of Incident: 1:29 p.m.

Date Cited: 10/20/2026

Time Cited: 5:21 p.m.

Location of Offense: E. 4000 N. Rd./N. 1550 E. Rd.

Cited: David Menshouse (M) (40) of Potomac, IL

Details: HPD officers located Mr. Menshouse and issued NTA’s in Vermilion County Court for the above violations.

 

 

 

Operating When Registration Suspended for Mandatory Insurance; Operating Uninsured Vehicle H26-5725

Date: 10/21/2026

Time: 8:44 p.m.

Location: E. Thompson Ave./N. 5th St.

Cited: Robert Rogers (M) (63) of Hoopeston

Details: HPD officers conducted a traffic stop at the above location. Mr. Rogers was found to be driving on the above violations. He was issued NTA’s for Vermilion County Court and released from the scene.