Operating Vehicle with Expired Registration (More than 1 year) H24-1607 Time: 4:43 pm Location: S 5th St. and E Maple St. Hoopeston IL Cited: James E. Miller (M) (30) of Hoopeston Details: HPD Officers conducted a traffic stop on the above subject. A computer check showed Mr. Miller to have expired registration. Mr. Miller was released with a citation to appear in court for the listed charge.

Warrant Arrest Vermilion Co, Warrant Arrest Champaign Co H24-1469 2024-2110

Time: 11:25pm

Location: 800 blk W Penn

Arrested: Kendrick Buckner (M) (22) of Hoopeston

Details: HPD officers were dispatched to the area for the report of a disturbance. A computer

check revealed Mr. Buckner had outstanding Vermilion and Champaign County

warrants. He was arrested and taken to HPD to be processed. He was later transported

to the PSB in lieu of bond and to await extradition to Champaign.

Warrant Arrest(VC 2023LM17) H24-1513

Time: 2:23PM

Location: 301 W Main St(Hoopeston Police Department)

Arrested: Bradlee A Walsh(28)(M)of Rossville

Details: Mr. Walsh came to Hoopeston Police Department to turn himself in on a warrant.

Mr. Walsh was processed, able to post bond and was released with a new Court Date.

No Valid Driver’s License (Delayed Entry) H24-1503

Date and Time: 03/24/2024 8:27PM

Location: E Main St/S Market St

Arrested: Jefferey A Davis(55)(M)of Hoopeston

Details: HPD officers conducted a traffic stop and a computer search showed Mr. Davis to

have no valid driver’s license. Mr. Davis was given a Vermilion County Court date

released from the scene.

Operating Vehicle with Suspended Registration for Non-Insurance, Wanted on Warrant (Vermilion County) H24-1558 2024-2257

Time: 12:42 AM

Location: S Dixie Hwy/W Orange St

Arrested: Michael J Barnes (M) (43) of Gilman

Details: HPD conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle with the above subject identified as the driver. Mr. Barnes was found to have an active warrant through Vermilion County. He was taken into custody and transported to HPD for processing then later transported to the PSB Danville, IL to await arraignment.

Operating Uninsured Vehicle H24-1594

Time: 8:10 pm

Location: W Orange St/S Dixie Hwy

Cited: Kimberly K Longfellow (F) (36) of Hoopeston

Details: HPD conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle with the above subject identified as the driver. Ms. Longfellow was given a citation and notice to appear in Vermilion County traffic court.

When: Monday, April 22 2024 & Tuesday, April 23 2024 Where: Vermilion County Vermilion County, IL – Eastern Illinois Foodbank (EIF) is distributing food to area families facing food insecurity. The Foodmobile will travel throughout northern Vermilion County on 04/22/2024 and southern Vermilion County on 04/23/2024, with distribution sites and times and for each town listed at https://www.eifoodbank.org/help/mobile.html. Those attending are asked to bring boxes or bags to transport food. The distribution is part of the Foodbank’s Foodmobile Program, a system of mobile food pantries designed to help bring nutritious food to rural or underserved areas. Those planning to attend should pre-register at www.EIFclient.com, although doing so does not guarantee a place in line. Income guidelines are as follows: Updates regarding future food distributions can be found at the Foodbank’s website at www.eifoodbank.org.

Improper Use of Communication Device H24-1447

Time: 3:20pm

Location: In the area of 1121 S Dixie Highway (Lithgow Automotive)

Cited: Tiffany M. Woods (F) of Hoopeston

Details: HPD Officers were called to the above area in reference to a vehicle all over the roadway. HPD Officers conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle. Ms Woods was released with a traffic citation for the above charges.

A former public health administrator was before a judge March 21 after being charged by the Illinois Attorney General’s Office on theft and official misconduct charges.

Dee Ann Schippert, 57, Watseka, was charged by Attorney General Kwame Raoul “with allegedly submitting fraudulent time sheets to the Iroquois County Public Health Board claiming to have worked hours she did not actually work, valued in excess of $100,000,” reads a press release from Raoul’s office.

Schippert was arrested by Illinois State Police Special Investigations Unit March 20 in Champaign.

Schippert is charged with two counts of theft of government property, which are Class X felonies punishable by up to 30 years in prison, six Class 1 felonies of theft of government property, which are punishable up to five years in prison, and 17 Class 3 felony counts of official misconduct, which are punishable by up to five years in prison. “Sentences are ultimately determined by the court and can run concurrently,” reads the statement from Raoul.

Judge William Dickenson presided over court proceedings March 21. Iroquois County judges Michael Sabol and Kara Bartucci have recused themselves from the case.

According to judici.com information, Schippert appeared at the Zoom video hearing March 21 in the custody of the sheriff’s department. Public Defender Lance Cagle was also present as was Assistant Attorney General Mara Somlo. It was noted that Schippert may hire private counsel instead of a public defender. Part of the March 21 proceedings indicate that she is not to leave the State of Illinois and refrain from going to areas of the health department and Iroquois County departments that are not open to the public. She is to report to pre-trial services within 24 hours. She was read her appeal rights.

She will next go before a judge at 9:30 a.m. April 4 when the next status hearing is set. That hearing is set to be in a Kankakee courtroom.

In the press release, Raoul says that Schippert began her time as Iroquois County Public Health Department administrator in 2015, and had worked at the Ford-Iroquois Public Health Department for more than 20 years before that.

“While in the administrator role, Raoul’s office alleges from May 2020 to July 2022, Schippert knowingly deceived the government by misrepresenting to Iroquois County’s Board of Health how much work and what type of work she did,” reads the release. “This included submitting multiple fraudulent time sheets claiming regular and overtime work hours she did not actually work. Raoul alleges that, as a result, Schippert was paid more than $100,000 she should not have received.”

“Public officials who abuse their position for their own financial gain must be held accountable,” Raoul said in the release. “I would like to thank the Illinois State Police for their assistance in investigating this case. My office will continue to collaborate with law enforcement agencies to investigate and

hold accountable government employees who take advantage of the trust their communities have placed in them.”

"No one is above the law and when we learn of possible public corruption, the Illinois State Police Special Investigations Unit will be there to hold offenders accountable on behalf of the public," said ISP Director Brendan F. Kelly.

Traffic Accident

Time: 11:33 am

Location: 600 Block of E Young Ave.

Unit 1: 2007 Dodge Van driven by Craig La bounty (M) (63) of Hoopeston

Unit 2: 2006 Chevrolet 4 door driven by Chole Edison (F) (18) of Hoopeston

Details: Unit 1 was backing from a driveway in the above area. Unit 1 struck Unit 2. There were no injuries, and no citations were issued.

Operating a Motor Vehicle with Suspended Registration H24-1415

Time: 5:12PM

Location: E Main St/Bank St

Arrested: Schuylar V Rusk(42)(M)of Hoopeston

Details: HPD officers conducted a traffic stop and a computer search showed the registration to be

suspended. Mr. Rusk was given a Vermilion County Court Date and released from the scene.

 Illinois State Police (ISP) Troop 7 Commander, Acting Captain Brian Dickmann, announces the results of a Roadside Safety Check (RSC) held in Vermilion County from late night March 16, 2024 to early morning March 17, 2024. The RSC was conducted at Illinois Route 1 southbound at Lyons Road, by Troop 7 officers. Violations Enforcement Activity Driving Under the Influence (DUI) Citations 0 Other Alcohol/Drug Citations 3 Occupant Restraint Offenses 4 Registration Offenses 2 Driver’s License Offenses 11 Insurance Violations 8 Total Citations/Arrests 26 Total Written Warnings 4 Alcohol and drug impairment are factors in more than 30% of all fatal motor vehicle crashes in Illinois, and throughout the U.S., nearly 10,000 people die each year due to alcohol-impaired driving. RSCs are designed to keep our roads safe by taking dangerous DUI offenders off the road. This project was funded through the Illinois Department of Transportation. 

Criminal Trespassing to State Supported Property, Domestic Battery H24-1368 2024-1890

Time: 4:05PM

Location: 500 blk of S 6th Ave

Complaint: 29 yr old Female of Hoopeston

Arrested: Keon O Crawford(29)(M)of Kankakee

Details: HPD officers were dispatched to the above location for a report of Domestic Battery. Mr. Crawford was arrested and transported to HPD for processing and later transported to PSB

to await arraignment.

Fire Call

Time: 12:34 am

Location: 423 N Dixie Highway(Heritage Health Care)

Details: HFD was dispatched to the above location for a smell of natural gas.

Criminal Damage to Property Over, Failure to report a crash to Police H24-1373 2024-1903

Date/Time: 03/15/20024 6:09pm

Location: 500 blk N 4th St

Complainant: 49 year old Hoopeston female

Arrested: Sierra Smith (F) (30) of Hoopeston

Details: HPD officers were dispatched to a civil disturbance. Upon arrival, officers were told that

Ms. Smith had ran into the complainants car and left the area. Ms. Smith was later found

and arrested for the above charges. She was taken to HPD to be processed and later

transported to the PSB in Danville to await arraignment.

Fire Call

Time: 2:06PM

Location: 1118 N Dixie Hwy(Hoopeston City Slab)

Details: HFD was called to the above location for a report of a brush pile on fire.

Speeding, Driving While Registration Suspended H24-1391

Time: 11:03 pm

Location: S 5th Ave/W Penn St

Cited: Claude A Bridgman (M) (37) of Hoopeston

Details: HPD conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle with the above subject identified as the driver. Mr. Bridgman was given citations for the listed offenses and received notice to appear in Vermilion County traffic court then was released from the scene

Fire Call

Time: 8:01PM

Location: 900 E Wyman Ave

Details: HFD was dispatched to the above location for a smell of smoke in the res.

Driving while license suspended, Improper backing H24-1397

Time: 8:52PM

Location: 100 blk of W Main ST

Arrested: Angela L Murphy(42)(F)of Hoopeston

Details: HPD officers conducted a traffic stop and a computer search showed Mrs. Murphy to have

a suspended license. Mrs. Murphy was arrested and transported to HPD for processing and

later released with a Vermilion County court date.

On March 5, 2024, Troy Barnes (DOB 9/10/1990), formerly of Danville, Illinois, pleaded guilty to Predatory Criminal Sexual Assault of a Child, a class X felony, for 6 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections. Barnes also pleaded guilty to Aggravated Criminal Sexual Assault of a Family Member, a class 1 felony, for an additional 6 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections. Each count for which the defendant pled guilty is to be served consecutively and he is to serve 85% of the sentence. Judge Derek Girton heard evidence from the State that the 2019 incident was reported to the Danville Police Department after a minor child came forward. Further investigation revealed prior incidents with a second minor victim who was also a family member. After his release from prison, Barnes will serve a term of mandatory supervised release from 3 years to natural life, and will be required to register as a sex offender for life. State’s Attorney Jacqueline Lacy thanked the Danville Police Department for their dedicated efforts in this matter. Lacy said, “I must thank the victims for their courage in coming forward to law enforcement. The victims’support of each other during this traumatic time was crucial.” Lacy added, “It is inconceivable that children must suffer such forms of abuse. It is important that our children know if someone hurts them it is safe to speak out.”

Petition packets for Independent and New Political Party Candidates who wish to run for local offices in the General Election, to be held Tuesday, November 5, 2024, will be available at the Vermilion County Clerk’s Office beginning Tuesday, March 26,2024. Packets may be picked up between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. The first day petitions for New Political Party Candidates or Independent Candidates may be circulated is Tuesday, March 26, 2024. Petitions must be filed with the Vermilion County Clerk beginning Monday, June 17, 2024 at 8:00 a.m. through Monday, June 24, 2024 by 5:00 p.m. Local offices to be elected at the November 5, 2024 General Election include County Auditor, Circuit Clerk, County Coroner, County Recorder, State’s Attorney and County Board members. Federal, state and judicial offices will also be on the ballot. Information and necessary forms for those offices may be found on the State Board of Elections’ website, www.elections.il.gov. 

On March 8, 2024, Terrion Liggins (DOB 12/30/1987), formerly of Danville, Illinois, pleaded guilty to Possession of a Controlled Substance with Intent to Deliver, a Class 1 felony, for 10 years Illinois Department of Corrections and to Unlawful Possession of a Weapon by a Felon, a Class 2 felony, for 8 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections. Sentences are to run concurrently and will be followed by 1 year mandatory supervised release. Judge Derek Girton heard evidence that on December 6, 2022, agents with the Vermilion County Metropolitan Enforcement Group executed a search warrant on the home of Terrion Liggins and located 28 grams of crack cocaine. Agents also located firearm ammunition, which Liggins is not legally allowed to possess due to prior felony convictions. Liggins admitted to agents that he sold crack cocaine to support his lifestyle. State’s Attorney Jacqueline Lacy expressed her gratitude to the agents of the Vermilion County Metropolitan Enforcement Group for their efforts to remove illegal drugs from the streets of Vermilion County.

Illinois State Police (ISP) Troop 7 Commander, Acting Captain Brian Dickmann, announces the results of Alcohol Countermeasure Enforcement (ACE) patrols in Macon and Vermilion County during March. These ACE patrols allowed the ISP to focus on preventing, detecting, and taking enforcement action in response to violations associated with impaired driving and illegal transportation or consumption of alcohol or drugs.

Violations Enforcement Activity

Driving Under the Influence (DUI) Citations 0

Other Alcohol/Drug Citations 0

Occupant Restraint Offenses 9

Registration Offenses 6

Driver’s License Offenses 3

Insurance Violations 8

Total Citations/Arrests 36

Total Written Warnings 25

Alcohol and drug impairment are factors in more than 30% of all fatal motor vehicle crashes in Illinois. There is one alcohol-related traffic fatality every 53 minutes in the United States. The ACE program allows officers to work even harder at removing dangerous DUI offenders from the road. This project is funded through the Illinois Department of Transportation.

Traffic Accident H24-1262 Time: 10:51am Location: 600 W Elm St Unit 1: 2007 Chrysler Utility driven by Rhonda S Fink(46)(F)of Rossville Unit 2: 2008 Volkswagen Bug driven byBrenda K Hollen(61)(F)of Hoopeston Details: Unit 1 was backing from the driveway as Unit 2 was traveling East bound on W Elm St. Unit 1 backed into the passenger side door of Unit 2. No citations were given.

Warrant Arrest(Michigan MI130035J) H24-1266 2024-1702 Time: 6:27PM Location: S 6th Ave/W Elm St Arrested: Jordan Wisecup(38)(M)of Hoopeston Details: HPD officers conducted a traffic stop and a computer search showed Mr. Wisecup had an active warrant. Mr. Wisecup was arrested and transported to HPD for processing and later transported to PSB to await arraignment.

Wanted on Warrant (Parole Violation), C24-04191 (Harassing Communication) H24-1272 2024-1709 Time: 10:30 pm Location: 200 blk S 1st Ave Arrested: Skyler W Cannon (M) (31) of Hoopeston Details: HPD located the above subject known to have an active Illinois Department of Corrections warrant. Mr. Cannon was taken into custody and transported to HPD for processing. He was later transported to PSB Danville, IL to await extradition. 

 The Watseka Family Festival Committee is proud to announce the entertainment lineup for the 2024 festival. Headlining Saturday Night (AUG 24) is a country music artist who has sold over thirteen million albums and charted eighteen number-one hits! Tracy Lawrence is coming to the Watseka Family Festival! Opening for Lawrence is Champaign’s favorite country party band, Feudin’ Hillbillys!

Headlining Friday, August 23, is another Champaign-based band, The Boat Drunks, a Jimmy Buffet Tribute band that has been voted the Trop Rock Band of the Year six times, most recently in 2021, by the Trop Rock Music Association’s members. Additionally, the members of Trop Rockin’ Magazine voted the band as Band of the Year in 2019 for the second consecutive year.

The concerts will occur at the Watseka American Legion Park in Watseka, IL, on August 23 & 24, 2024. Gates will open at 6PM each night. The music will begin at 7:30 PM. General Admission to Friday Night will be $10; there is a $5 discount (online only) if you purchase Saturday Night and Friday tickets. General Admission for Saturday Night is $20 if purchased in advance, and the Party Pit (the section closest to the stage) will be $25. Saturday Night tickets will increase by $10 on August 24, 2024.

Chairs are allowed in designated areas of the General Admission area on both nights. Tickets for both nights will be available online at www.watsekafamilyfest.com starting at 8 AM on Friday, March 8, 2024.

Other activities during the festival include a carnival, craft-flea markets, a car show, a bags tournament, a beer garden, food vendors, and more. There is no entry fee to attend any activities outside of the concerts. Once available, details on all events can be found at www.watsekafamilyfest.com.

Speeding H24-1214 Time: 4:29am Location: W Orange/S Dixie Hwy Cited: Celina Arteaga (F) (44) of Watseka Details: HPD officers stopped the vehicle Ms. Arteaga was driving for a traffic violation. She was ticketed for speeding (47 in a 35) and was given a traffic court date.

The Illinois State Police (ISP) arrested five individuals during an anti-human trafficking operation in the Danville area. Beginning on February 28^th, 2024, the ISP Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) Trafficking Enforcement Bureau conducted a two-day operation focused on identifying individuals seeking to engage in commercial sex acts.   

As a result of the operation, each of the following individuals were arrested and charged with Indecent Solicitation/Aggravated Criminal Sexual Abuse of a Child (Class 3 Felony), Traveling to Meet a Child (Class 3 Felony), and Solicitation to Meet a Child (Class 4 Felony). In addition to those charges, Wagoner was also charged with Possession of Methamphetamine - Less Than 5 Grams (Class 3 Felony).

·       Salem K. Khan (37) – Cheektowaga, NY  

·       Brett A. Wright (42) – Danville, IL 

·       Eric H. Schmidt (46) – Lisle, 

·       Andrew M. Cravens (44) – Danville, IL 

·       Bradley J. Wagoner (46) – Westville, IL

This operation was part of a multifaceted approach by ISP aimed at stopping human trafficking in Illinois. Participating in the operation with ISP were the Vermillion County MEG, East Central Illinois Task Force, Task Force 6 personnel and Homeland Security Investigations. The Vermillion County State’s Attorney’s Office also provided support for the operation.?  

If you suspect human trafficking, contact the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888 or text *233733.  For more information visit www.humantraffickinghotline.org.  You can also email ISP.Crime.Tips@illinois.gov. 

Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, UUW by a Felon(ammo),Possession of Ammunition without FOID H24-1205 2024-1613 Time: 5:11pm Location: 500 blk of W Maple St Arrested: Craig I Stevens(45)(M)of Hoopeston Details: HPD officers were dispatched to the above location where they found Mr. Stevens to be in possession drug paraphernalia. Mr. Stevens was transported to HPD for processing and later transported to PSB to await arraignment.

Residential Burglary,Criminal Damage(over), Possession of Stolen Property(Delayed Entry) H24-1174 2024-1615 Date and Time: 03/03/2024 1:16PM Location: 600 blk of W Orange St Arrested: Craig I Stevens(45)(M)of Hoopeston Details: HPD officers were dispatched to the above location for a report of burglary. Mr Stevens was found at a later time to be in possession of items. Mr. Stevens was arrested and transported to HPD for processing and later transported to PSB to await arraignment.

Operating Motor Vehicle with Expired Registration, Stop Sign Violation H24-1199 Time: 20:52 Location: W Main St/S 8th Ave Cited: Kevin Rahn (M) (19) of Hoopeston Details: HPD officers conducted a traffic stop after a stop sign violation was witnessed on the vehicle Mr. Rahn was driving. A computer check revealed the registration was expired. Mr. Rahn was issued two (2) citations and given a court date. He was released from the scene. 

Wanted on Warrant (Vermilion County 2021CM721 – No Bond), Aggravated Assault

H24-1184 2024-1544

Time: 7:15 pm

Location: 800 blk E Young Ave

Arrested: Moises A Torres (M) (40) of Hoopeston

Details: HPD responded to a dispute with the above subject found to have an active warrant through Vermilion County. He was taken into custody and transported to HPD for processing. He was later transported to PSB Danville, IL to await arraignment for the listed charges.

No Valid Driver’s License H24-1185

Time: 8:49 pm

Location: S Market St/E Chestnut St

Cited: 16-year-old male of Covington

Details: HPD conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle with the above subject with no valid driver’s license identified as the driver. He received a citation and notice to appear in Vermilion County traffic court

Wanted on Warrant (Vermilion County 2020CM661) H24-1152 2024-1505

Time: 1:35 am

Location: 200 blk N Market St

Arrested: Elbert W Cannon (M) (57) of Hoopeston

Details: HPD located the above subject with an active Vermilion County warrant. He was taken into custody and transported to HPD for processing. He was later transported to the PSB Danville, IL to await arraignment.

D. U. I. BAC over .08, Under the Influence of Alcohol, Improper Lane Usage H24-1154

Time: 2:17 am

Location: S 6th Ave/W Orange St

Arrested: Lydia N Suver (F) (26) of Woodland

Details: HPD conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle with the above subject identified as the driver. Ms. Suver was taken into custody and transported to HPD for processing. She was later released with citations for the listed charges and received notice to appear in Vermilion County traffic court.

Warrant Arrest H24-1123 2024-1465

Time: 7:53am

Location: 600 blk E Young Av

Arrested: Joseph Wilson (M) (43) of Hoopeston

Details: HPD officers were dispatched to the above location to assist another agency in looking

for Mr. Wilson. A computer check revealed he had an outstanding warrant from Parke

County, IN. He was arrested and taken to HPD to be processed. He was later transported

to the PSB to await extradition.

Warrant Arrest H24-1131 2024-1474

Time: 11:39am

Location: 900 blk of W Penn St

Arrested: Julius P Thomas (25) (M) of Hoopeston

Details: HPD officers were dispatched to above location for a report of theft, a computer search

showed Mr. Thomas to be wanted on a Vermilion County warrant. Mr. Thomas was arrested

and transported to HPD for processing and later transported to PSB by a Vermilion County

Deputy.

Operating Motor Vehicle When Registration Suspended for No Insurance H24-1142

Time: 6:18PM

Location: E Main St/S Market St

Citied: 16-year-old male of Hoopeston

Details: HPD officers conducted a traffic stop and a computer search showed Mr. Espinoza to have

a suspended registration. Mr. Espinoza was given a Vermilion County court date and

released from the scene.

Fire Call

Time: 8:21am

Location: 715 W Elm St, Plaza Commons

Details: HFD was dispatched for the report of a smell on natural gas. Nothing found.