SOUTHERN ILLINOIS—With the distribution of medical marijuana on the horizon in the state of Illinois, a number of municipalities downstate are frantically adding their cities to the lists of those that will be considered for selection for one of 22 Medical Marijuana Farm sitings.

However, it’s unlikely that 22 facilities—in reflection of Illinois’ 22 state police districts, which shows just how regulated the situation will be—are going to be enough to support the demand, mainly because the grow operations aren’t that large, and are going to be in enclosures in order to prevent random burglarizing and thieves taking off with weed.

Add the fact that there are only going to be 60 approved facilities to distribute the medical cannabis—and that most of those will be north of I-70—and downstate Illinois cities and counties are now faced with a scramble of investors and entrepreneurs who are courting them to site a grow operation on publicly-owned property.

At recent public meetings, these entrepreneurs, most often represented by attorneys (as there will be significant legal wrangling going on in the selection, siting, construction and operating process) have been giving their pitches as the state moves toward an industry that could begin to make a dent in Illinois’ budget crisis; but, more importantly, could prove to locals what science has known (but has been suppressed from telling) for millennia: that cannabis has health treatment properties that far outweigh the value of any pharmaceutical, and that are non-addictive and non-toxic to even the most desperately-ill of patients.

Taken under consideration in Marion

The Marion City Council meeting held June 23 exemplifies just what’s going on in the push to get production of what’s been so illegal for so long to “get growing.”

At that meeting, Mayor Bob Butler and Councilman Doug Patton were open-minded about a Medical Marijuana Farm possibly coming to their area of southern Illinois.

Mt. Vernon attorney Stephen Osborne had submitted a letter to the Marion City Council representing “a group of Illinois businessmen who own and operate farms in Illinois and in the Midwest and who are interested in creating one or more businesses throughout the state, including possibly this area.”

The letter, dated June 12, further read:

“It is expected that applications for licenses to operate these cultivation centers will be accepted beginning this Fall. Temporary regulations have been issued by the State. I understand that twenty-two licenses are available and are expected to be issued throughout Illinois. One such license is allocated to each Illinois State Police District. Obviously, this industry will be highly regulated by the State. The capital requirements and barriers to entry into the business are considerable. This group of businessmen expects to file multiple applications for licenses in multiple ISP Districts. They are currently researching potential locations for which they might file applications for licenses.

“The state estimates that demand for medical cannabis will be considerable. It is conceivable that a grow site could generate several million dollars of revenue annually. My clients are aware that they will be required to work with the local community to garner support. They look forward to meeting with various groups to determine how best to work together so all can benefit from this project.

“My clients have asked me to canvass local municipalities and counties to determine whether the respective locales have considered this newly authorized industry and the level of interest in having such a business locate in your community. It is expected that a 30,000 square foot facility would be built that would employ between 12 and 30 permanent employees with future growth expected thereafter. At least 15 acres will be needed but more ground would be preferred to allow for future expansion opportunities.

“Given the extensive application process and the planning needed to complete that process, time is somewhat of the essence. If your community has serious interest in such an enterprise locating to our area, along with the jobs and tax base it will provide, I am available to discuss this matter with you at your convenience. Please contact me if you would like to do so. Thank you for your considerations.”

Grayville on board with old prison site

Marion, however, isn’t the only city in southern Illinois vying for siting of a weed farm.

The City of Grayville has also tossed its name into the hat, naturally giving, as their cause for siting, the albatross that’s been hanging around their collective necks for the past 14 years: the property that the state abandoned after they decided, under the Rod Blagojevich gubernatorial administration, not to site yet another George Ryan administration prison complex there.

Ryan announced in early 2001 that the prison, his last of about five that were planned during the final years of his administration, was going to be sited at Grayville and work began in earnest, with the property being transferred from ownership by the Ward family to possession of the state. Construction then also began in earnest, with union labor providing land leveling, infrastructure for utilities (electric, gas and water) to come in and plumbing (sewer) to go out, and the beginnings of berms and other barricading structures (chain-link fences among them) being erected.

However, Blago pulled the plug on the construction only a few months after taking office, in April 2003. Since that time, the city has tried desperately to get something done with the site, pouring untold hundreds of thousands of dollars into development commissions and other agencies advertising the availability of the abandoned 20 acres.

During the week prior to Marion’s City Council meeting, Grayville Mayor Joe Bisch told media that an “unnamed growing company” contacted city officials and indicated they were interested in discussing with the city the possibility of siting a grow op at the empty site at the I-64 plaza.

The city has already signed a letter of intent to negotiate with the company (likely represented by Osborne) about the siting.

Fairfield, too! And some drawbacks most people don’t know about

And the city of Fairfield has also gotten in on the scramble, discussing the possibility of a siting at a location south of that town on June 24 at a city council meeting that evening.

Fairfield Mayor Chuck Griswold told the public that the site in question is located just south of the city’s sewer plant and consists of about ten acres “in a rural area away from any residents.”

The fact that he felt the need to point out “away from any residents” resonates with the shift in attitude many folks have taken on about marijuana in general, especially in Wayne County, where it seems that many diverse religious organizations have a tendency to “run things” going on there (despite the abject hypocrisy consistently shown to be a part of that sentiment.)

Both Grayville and Fairfield officials, of course, are tickled at the prospect of the siting of a medical marijuana grow op as “bringing in jobs to the community.”

However, that aspect of the situation is wholly dependent upon a lot of different propositions; and much like a siting-of-a-prison prospect, is fraught with misapprehensions: Construction labor in a state-funded project such as a prison or pot grow op would be provided by union employees, not by local contractors, said union employees already having a job.

And the 12-20 employees of the grow facility itself—just like prison guards and other employees of a prison—wouldn’t necessarily be selected locally, but would likely be selected statewide from a pool stringently screened and brought in from other locations.

This would make, unfortunately, a considerable amount of sense, as the worker’s pool in many downstate counties has gotten contaminated in recent decades due to so many people having some sort of criminal record (thanks to the state burdening itself with so many “laws,” among those, cannabis crimes), and, conversely, because of those on the opposite end of the spectrum still maintaining the view that marijuana is somehow inherently evil, they would not be likely candidates to put in applications for employment at such a facility.

Shifts in attitude; information, and costs

The shift in attitude toward cannabis cultivation continues, however. That which was illegal and thus “bad” in previous years is now viewed as a money-making proposition that could bring the state out of the dire economic slump its facing and, in turn, perhaps turn around an ailing economy of a municipality the size of Marion (17,300), Fairfield (5,100) or even little Grayville (1,650).

And all of that stands in stark contrast to the REAL reason marijuana should be decriminalized and available for public use: health.

The fact that any type of cannabis plant can grow in the wild with little maintenance (hemp seeds, as an example, have omega oils and protein content unparalleled by other such food), and, when cultivated (male and female plants) used medicinally for every possible ailment being suffered by mankind, seems to be overlooked in the rush to be the place to get to grow what God put on the planet for a reason.

But, despite the name of the new law that allows for cultivation and distribution—Illinois’ Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis—the state of Illinois continues to prove that it’s anything but “compassionate,” considering the hoops a person has to jump through to prove they’re deserving of the state’s ‘compassion,’ and the costs associated with seeking medical clearance to obtain a medical marijuana card ($80 to $170 per visit, with four or more visits to an approved clinic being required), the cost of bearing the card itself ($100)…and of course, the cost of the weed (2.5 ounces in a 14-day period).

Costs of applying just to be selected as a grower are prohibitive, too; Disclosure will have more on that aspect of the law in upcoming editions as the state moves toward enacting the law in full.

Black book code with list of officer’s names said to be broken

SALINE CO.— Multiple sources have independently confirmed a story that Disclosure has been sitting on for nearly a year: that the federal Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) along with the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) has been and currently is investigating several area police officers for alleged use and trafficking of anabolic steroids and possibly narcotics.

The case dates back to the Fall of 2013, when a bank robbery occurred in Harrisburg.

Shawn Gregory, shown here after a court appearance in Saline County, is believed to be the drug dealer to numerous police officers. He is said to have kept a black book containing all his dealings with lawmen he dealt drugs to. He is also believed to be “telling all” to federal authorities in hopes of a lighter sentence in his criminal case.

Through a series of events that began almost immediately (as in, as soon as responding law enforcement got word of who was involved in the robbery), the situation has unfolded and has lead to a current investigation into what has, up until that time, been only rumored to be going on in the area: rampant steroid use, trafficking…and, “cooking” steroids, a practice that’s come to be popular in recent years due to successes in meth-making, and which involves “enhancing” legally-obtained steroids with illicit substances to increase their effects.

And while there’s no direct indication that this “cooking” practice is going on, what may lead to at least indirect indication of it is a black book with information written in code that was obtained during the course of the investigation…and what code authorities are saying has been “cracked” and is aiding significantly in tracking down exactly who is involved, and their level of involvement.

Coming on the heels of this discovery is the June 24 plea the bank robber, Casey A. Heflin, 28, of Boaz, Kentucky, entered in federal court (U.S. District Court in Benton), where he was indicted in March of this year.

And locals in Saline County and in particular, in Harrisburg, are wondering exactly what information Heflin has been issuing now that he’s a federal convict and could spend the next 20-plus years in the Federal Bureau of Prisons.

Gunman

The current DEA/FBI investigation began following the October 17, 2013 armed robbery of the Old National Bank in Harrisburg located at 719 Rollie Moore Drive just off Commercial Drive (Highway 45).

Authorities say Heflin walked into the bank that morning wearing a baseball cap and sunglasses, pointed a gun at teller Samantha J. Barnett, threw three plastic bags on the counter and told her to “fill the bags and hurry up!” at one point becoming so agitated at how long it was taking, he said, “Hurry up, faster, or I’ll cock the gun!”

Barnett continued filling the bag and when she reached for a stack of 50 dollar bills Heflin told her “Never mind!” grabbed the bag of cash and walked out, leaving the remaining two bags on the counter.

Barnett then pushed the hold-up alarm button and turned to her fellow tellers and informed them she had been robbed.

Kayla Blackford, one of the other tellers, ran to the west side window of the interior of the building to see if she could determine a direction of travel of the man, and said she saw a gold car pulling from the exit/entrance of the bank and onto Rte. 45.

Local response

Harrisburg police chief Bob Smith showed up at about 9:15 a.m. and contacted the FBI as well as the Illinois State Police Crime Scene Coordinator.

FBI agent Ron Bratcher was dispatched to the scene.

Barnett told authorities she believed the handgun was a revolver because of what she thought was a large cylinder she saw.

In all Heflin was believed to have gotten away with $4,197.

A photo from bank surveillance tapes was texted to Federal Parole Officer Mark Walker who positively identified the man as one of his parolees, Casey Heflin, 28, of 457 Walnut Rd., Boaz, Ky.

Gold car spotted, the Gregory connection

While the army of lawmen were still in the bank sorting things out, a call came in from Stacy Cottom, who reported she had spotted a gold car and a silver Jeep Grand Cherokee near where she lived at about the time of the robbery.

She said she watched as a gold car was placed in the back of a nearby wooded area and then saw the Jeep leave.

Chief Smith and Harrisburg officer Nathan Moore went to the area Cottom described and found a Gold KIA passenger car registered to Deloris Heflin, of 457 Walnut Rd., Boaz, Ky.

When authorities questioned Ms. Heflin she said she had loaned her car to her grandson Casey Heflin but that he failed to return it.

When asked why her grandson would be in Harrisburg she said he had a cousin that lived there named Shawn Gregory who drove a silver Jeep Grand Cherokee.

A computer check showed the Jeep in joint ownership of Gregory and Martha (Odell) Richey, so authorities contacted Richey and through her talked to Gregory, who was on his way back from Carbondale by phone and he said would drop by the police station when he got into town.

Get-away driver

Once in town, Gregory was questioned by Bratcher and Harrisburg Officer David Morris.

After spending some time allowing Gregory to spin his story, Bratcher informed Gregory that he knew his story was a lie.

That’s about the time Gregory got a bit closer to the truth.

He told officers that he had met Heflin near the woods and that he thought Heflin had “robbed a drug dealer.”

Gregory said that Heflin got into his Jeep with a dark duffle bag, and that he saw the Wal-Mart bag was “full of something,” but he could not identify the contents.

He said he then drove to the Sherman Street house where Heflin changed clothes.

Gregory said they grabbed the rest of Heflin’s bags and left for Carbondale.

He said he never saw any money, was never given any money and that he thought Heflin was nervous but didn’t know why.

And that’s about the time Gregory asked for an attorney and the interview was stopped.

Story changes— again

At 4:49 p.m. that evening Gregory told corrections officers he needed to talk to officer Morris again.

When he did he suddenly said he remembered everything.

Gregory offered a confession.

“He then began to tell me that it was all his idea. He said that he did it all,” Morris said. “He said he got the gun for Heflin, described it as a break action 45/410 type stainless steel. He said he found it on the road with bullets in it.

“He kept saying it was all his idea and that he made Heflin do it all. Basically Shawn was trying to take the rap for it all to keep Heflin out of trouble.”

Heflin and Gregory were both charged with Armed Robbery.

Steroid connection/little black book code broken

The silver Jeep Grand Cherokee was impounded and when it was searched, Harrisburg officers, some shocked, others not so much, discovered at least 60 vials containing testosterone, syringes and needles in a bag.

A further search of Gregory’s home uncovered what authorities described (with the same amount of “shock” and “not so much”) as a “large amount of other controlled substances.”

But what has really busted the case wide open is the discovery of a black book/ledger.

The black book is said to contain the names and specific illegal business dealings with area police officers who use and aid in the traffic of steroids and possibly narcotics and have for some time.

The black book was originally thought to be in some unbreakable code created by Gregory.

Sources have indicated the book was taken to individuals whose jobs it is to break code for a living.

“Given enough real names of all possible players, possible slang terms, locations including addresses, dates and times, a computer can break some homemade code created by a drug dealer in a matter of hours,” said one source familiar with the process. “Working with local authorities to look over the data, they start seeing what makes sense and before you know it, the code is broken and everything comes out. The process will both eliminate suspects and identify suspects.”

Curious occurrences

There have also been incidents in the process of the investigation into the robbery that have caught the eye of federal investigators.

Sources have indicated that three weeks had passed before the FBI asked the Harrisburg authorities for the video surveillance tapes that were running in the bank the day of the robbery.

The disturbing answer was that the tapes of the robbery had not been taken into evidence, which quickly happened following a show of understandable irritation on the part of the FBI.

There had also been rumored by jail staff that while Gregory was being held in the Saline County Detention Center, he received what was perceived by some as special/preferential treatment.

One source indicated that Gregory not only got additional food in his cell and free phone cards, but also was actually given a cellphone.

Another source, this one with a lengthy criminal history, said he was called in off the street and interviewed by the feds and when they took him back to his car, he was surrounded by several Harrisburg police officers (names withheld at this time), in uniform and in squad cars, who then drove him to an undisclosed location and wanted to know what the feds had talked to him about.

The handgun used in the bank robbery has never been located.

Non-disclosure agreements/oaths

One of the more difficult aspects of attempting to investigate the story is that, according to federal sources, nearly every local lawman with knowledge of the case has signed a federal non-disclosure agreement which makes it a crime if they were to speak to the media.

With the agreements in place, Disclosure sought out, to varying degrees of success, federal agents as well as those believed to be involved in the drug trade for information regarding the investigation.

Disclosure has learned that there are indeed federal agents in and around Saline County, including members of the FBI and the DEA, interviewing individuals with knowledge of officers who are believed to be involved in the steroid and “other controlled substance” use and trafficking.

For the record, Disclosure has sat on this story since shortly after the bank robbery took place. With a list of officer’s names beginning to be leaked to other media, Disclosure decided to break the story but has no intention of publishing the names at this point in the investigation.

Here’s Lyndi bringing you the headlines from this past weekend (June 27-29) as well as the headlines for today, Monday, June 30, 2014…the year’s halfway over already!!

Topics covered include: Monica Zukas’ RealityCheck ignites haters calling her over the Pravin Varughese/Gaege Bethune issue; missing teen from West Frankfort found safe in Indiana Saturday; another attack on a DOC guard by a prison inmate; Brent Stanley prevails in a stipulated bench trial in Harrisburg Friday; and the JULY SPECIAL EDITION is hitting the stands tomorrow, with the e-Edition already available tonight!

JACKSON CO., Ill.—A wrongful death civil case has been filed in Jackson County against the man who was the last to see Molly Young alive.

Molly Young

Larry Young, Molly’s father, filed the “L” case in Jackson County Circuit Court yesterday (June 30, 2014), listing as his respondent Richie Minton, Molly’s former boyfriend and the man in whose room the 21-year-old was found deceased with a single gunshot wound to the left side of her head on March 24, 2012 in Minton’s Carbondale apartment. Nearby was a large-caliber handgun, which belonged to Minton. Molly was right-handed and unfamiliar with weapons. The crime scene was contaminated when police allowed Minton to change clothes before talking to him…and then, only briefly. Minton lawyered up, and because his parents are in the law enforcement/emergency responders field—and Minton himself working as a dispatcher at the time for Carbondale police—he was shown preferential treatment and was NEVER interviewed.

Disclosure has carefully covered the case since almost the day it occurred, joining forces with Monica Zukas last summer to help Larry Young put pressure on local authorities in Jackson County to examine the death of his daughter—which a coroner’s jury refused to rule a suicide, the popular “official” story up until late January 2013—and hopefully intensify the investigation itself, even lauding the local state’s attorney’s office when he opted to appoint a special prosecutor to look into it.

Richie Minton

But, nothing has come of that. And, up against a time deadline (three years to file if evidence was altered, tampered with or suppressed in the case, the latter of which was), Young needed to make a decision: to file wrongful death against the one he believed was responsible for taking his daughter’s life.

Richie Minton was scheduled for a hearing in his DUI case in Jackson County dating back to last year, this at 9 a.m. this morning. He was to have been served summons in the civil suit while at that hearing.

Larry Young is being represented by Charles Stegemeyer, the attorney working with another family, the Varugheses, whose son lost his life in February of this year in Carbondale, and police actively attempted to cover up that death, much as they did Molly’s.

Details of all of it to come…keep watching.

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WILLIAMSON CO.— Officials are reporting there have been three individuals killed in a fiery collision off Ill. Rte. 13.

Authorities say that last night (June 30, 2014) at approximately 10:30 p.m. a Porsche 911, driven by Frank M. Walker, 47, of Carbondale and a Pontiac Firebird driven by Abdullah M. Alfadhli, 18, also of Carbondale were westbound on Rte. 13 approaching Cambria Road when an eastbound Toyota Scion, driven by Stephanie D. Stowers, 29, of Marion, turned onto Cambria Road, struck the Firebird and burst into flames

Police say the Walker lost control of the Porsche, in an attempt to avoid hitting the Firebird and Scion, and slid into Crab Orchard Lake.

Walker, Alfadhli, and Stowers were all killed as a result of the collision.

A fourth individual, whose name has not been released by authorities, is said to be in critical condition after being flown from the scene to an area hospital. It’s unclear in whose vehicle the fourth individual was.

Authorities believe speed was a factor leading to the fatalities. The case remains under investigation.

HARRISBURG, Ill.—An incident occurring on Barnett Street in Harrisburg Sunday has brought about a serious charge against a local crim.

The incident occurred June 29 when Cameron Jones, 32, of Harrisburg, was alleged to have broken into an apartment of a girl on Barnett Street, ostensibly holding her at knifepoint in order to take pills from her that he knew her to have.

She was able to get police involved and they responded, taking Jones into custody. He was charged today with Home Invasion while armed with a Dangerous Weapon, a Class X felony.

Jones has a little bit of a history in Saline County, but nothing like a Class X felony, so this is quite the jump for him.

We’ve learned that he’s being held on a $5,000 cash bond; no court date has been set for him as yet. More as we get it; mark your RSS feeds to keep up with happenings here on what’s going on in the region with stuff like this.

WAYNE CO./U.S. DISTRICT COURT, EAST ST. LOUIS—The Fairfield Community High School coach and math instructor has been indicted by the feds on charges related to videotapes seized following his arrest two months ago on local videotaping counts.

Timothy Going

And the things that were found during this seizure, say the feds, are pretty graphic.

According to court documents filed Friday, June 27, Timothy C. Going, former math instructor and track coach at Fairfield, has not only allegedly been caught on school surveillance tapes in the act of installing video cameras that contained at least one video of a nude female minor showering, but has been found to be in possession of other, more salacious pornographic material.

The first count in the federal case is that of Attempted Sexual Exploitation of a Minor, in which it’s alleged that between/on or about November 1-2, 2013, Going used and attempted to use a minor to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing a video. This pertains to the St. Clair County bust we covered at this link here.

The second count is Possession of Visual Depictions of Minors Engaged in Sexually Explicit Conduct, which has the long, involved affidavit signed by federal investigator Joseph Murphy, who has been featured in our reports before as he specializes in these kinds of alleged child sex crimes.

In this affidavit, Murphy outlined how during that November period, Going took a small group of track participants and another adult to a Fairview Heights motel to stay while they were involved in the meet. He explained how Going “checked the rooms of the motel for any damage and to make sure no personal belongings were left in the rooms” from previous occupants…but what he was allegedly really doing was installing a video camera in the restroom to tape the young girl. This, Murphy said, was accomplished by a camera device installed in the bathroom that looked like a smoke detector; followups showed that the bathroom didn’t have a smoke detector in it. This device came on when the door closed. Going, authorities alleged, was able to video the minor undressing and taking a shower.

But the material purportedly found on Going’s home computers was at least every bit as damaging as all of the above: allegedly, images obtained from his devices, most of these devices homemade (Going was supposedly “very good at computers and electronics,” according to court documents), were depictions in the form of videos “involving some prepubescent females (12 or younger) and some of whom appeared to be a little older. Many of the images were obtained from websites that apparently distribute child pornography, and depicted sexual interactions between minors and adults, as well as sexual interactions between minors, and the lascivious display of the minors’ genitals.”

Murphy said these alleged child porn images were “mixed in with legal images which would indicate that (Going) knew what the image was when he saved it. In addition, the fact that Going tried to delete the images after the video camera evidences his consciousness of guilt. He knew that these images were of minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct and wanted to get rid of them before his computers were searched.”

Going has been held in Wayne County since his early May arrest and is to be brought to the federal courthouse on July 21 to make a first appearance. He’s been unable to post bond on the Wayne County charges; it’s unclear what’s going to become of those, but it’s highly likely that local do-nothing prosecutor David Williams will probably go the Mike Wepsiec route that Jackson County did to Raymond Martin four years ago, and drop them because the feds picked them up. While this saves Wayne County taxpayers a bundle of money, it speaks toward the type of “justice” to be found in that place, despite the redundancy. At the very least, a conviction in both federal and state court venues might serve to keep Going behind bars longer than he’s going to be, if indeed he’s convicted.

More on it as we get it.

Here’s Lyndi providing you the headlines for the day’s events—Tuesday, July 1, 2014–in Audio!!

Topics covered include: Wrongful death lawsuit filed against Richie Minton in the Molly Young case in Jackson County; fiery wreck on Cambria Road in Williamson County leaves three dead; Harrisburg man accused of home invasion; and Timothy Going has made it to the federal venue in a child porn case.

MARION, Ill.—Our sources in Marion are advising that a shooting has taken place at about 10:45 p.m. this evening.

According to our sources, witnesses at the scene advised that two men wearing black hoodies approached a house and fired shots at a residence at 1246 Midway Court. It appears two people were hit.

Police are on-scene. More when we get it…mark your feeds.

STERLING, IL — Illinois State Police (ISP) investigators are seeking the assistance of the public for any information into a death investigation that occurred on Tuesday, July 1at the Willow Creek Rest stop on I-39 southbound at the 84 mile marker.

A report of an unresponsive female at approximately 8:30 p.m. at the Willow Creek Reststop was made by a rest stop attendant, who discovered the female victim. Investigators have reviewed surveillance video from the rest stop and have determined that a female exited the rest room and was attacked by a male subject.

State Police have identified Terence Doddy, 36, of Rockford as a person of interest in this investigation. Doddy is currently wanted by the Rockford Police Department for a murder that occurred on June 30 in Rockford. Doddy was observed leaving the scene in the victim’s vehicle, a Gray 2013 Nissan Altima, bearing Illinois license plates BARGMN 2. Investigators have issued law enforcement alerts nationwide.

Anyone with any information is urged to contact 911 or the ISP Zone 2 office at 815-632-4010.

Law enforcement officials are also urging the public to take the necessary safety precautions when visiting rest stop areas.

Richie Minton. Isn’t he classy?

JACKSON CO., Ill.—Does Richie Minton HAVE a million dollars?

Highly unlikely.

And it’s highly unlikely that the smart-mouth, disagreeable punk will EVER have access to such a dollar amount

But that’s what is the request in the civil suit Molly Young‘s father, Larry, has made as a demand, a crucial portion of a wrongful death suit.

Of course, the purpose of the suit, filed yesterday (Tuesday, July 1, 2014) in Jackson County Circuit Court, is not to steal food out of Richie Minton’s babies’ mouths, should he ever decide to procreate.

Instead, that dollar figure places a value on something that’s priceless: The life of the young woman who was shot to death in Minton’s apartment on March 24, 2012, Molly Young.

Larry Young, in a screencap from a TV interview after TV finally decided to jump on the bandwagon, despite the host of threats from the Minton camp

Larry Young, therefore, isn’t in it to win the money…as many of the detractors are already starting to squeal and whine. He’s in it to make a point: He has the evidence, as turned over by state police last year when they declared that the case was “over” and no longer an open investigation. That the case was reopened about a year ago when special prosecutor Ed Parkinson—in whom all of us had high hopes, as Ed’s one of the best out there—matters not. Evidence was suppressed in the case, inexplicably, from the outset. And so the point Larry Young is trying to make is this: He wants a civil court to declare that Minton is responsible for killing Molly, as the evidence shows. If he gets a monetary award, that’s bonus. But the point is….no arrests have been made, no charges have been filed. And that’s WRONG. So Larry Young is going to prove how wrong it is, by dragging the matter into the civil court realm.

Here is the filing. We’ve yet to learn if Minton’s been served. Doesn’t matter whether he has yet; he will be. If local police entities won’t do it, there are private process servers, and Charles Stegmeyer, the attorney handling the case, will see to it. For those who might have trouble downloading or viewing the pdf, here’s the gist of the filing:

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Comes now the plaintiff, LARRY G. YOUNG, Administrator of the Estate of MOLLY MARIE YOUNG, by and through his counsel, Charles H. Stegmeyer of Stegmeyer & Stegmeyer, Ltd., and for his complaint pursuant to 740 ILCS 180/1 against defendant, RICHARD L. MINTON, states as follows:

1. That on March 24, 2012, defendant, RICHARD L. MINTON, was a resident of the County of Jackson, State of Illinois.

2. That on March 24, 2012, the deceased, MOLLY YOLING, was a resident of the County of Jackson, State of Illinois.

3. That on March 24, 2012, at or about 4:40 a.m. to 4:45 a.m. MOLLY YOUNG died from a gun shot wound to the head.

4. That on October 25, 2012, LARRY G. YOUNG was appointed lndependent Administrator of the Estate of MOLLY MARIE YOUNG by the Circuit Court of Jackson County, State of Illinois, which has jurisdiction of the subject matter and parties.

5. That the Defendant was present at the time of MOLLY YOUNG’s death and caused or contributed to her death by shooting MOLLY YOUNG and or providing the gun to MOLLY YOUNG that was used in the shooting death of MOLLY YOUNG.

6. That on January 31, 2013, at the coroner’s Inquest, plaintiff first realized that the Defendant was or could have caused the death of MOLLY YOUNG.

7. That as a result of the decedent, MOLLY YOUNG’s death, her next of kin have lost her guidance, services and companionship and have suffered and continue to suffer grief, sorrow and mental suffering.

8. That it is the belief of plaintiff that defendant fraudulently concealed the death of MOLLY YOUNG in that he: 

a. Defendant called MOLLY YOUNG sometime around 3:00 a.m., prior to the shooting, pretending to be drunk and in trouble to lure her to his apartment for the sole purpose of committing a wrongful act.

b. After the shooting of MOLLY YOUNG, defendant wiped the .45 caliber weapon clear of any fingerprints

c. After the shooting of MOLLY YOUNG, defendant took off his clothes, took a shower and washed his clothes

d. After the shooting, defendant waited 3 to 4 hours to call the authorities. Roommate called 911.

e. After the shooting, defendant refused to give the authorities a Statement of what occurred.

f. After the shooting, defendant hired an attomey to protect defendant from criminal charges.

g. After the shooting of MOLLY YOUNG, defendant made a 911 call and stated that MOLLY YOUNG overdosed, had blood from her nose despite the fact that MOLLY YOUNG had a gunshot wound to the head.

h. Defendant placed a pill bottle near MOLLY YOUNG’S body. Molly had no gunpowder residue on her hand.

WHEREFORE, the Plaintiff prays judgment against the defendant for an amount in excess of One Million Dollars ($1,000,000.00) and for such other further relief as the court deems necessary.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

Molly Young

That tells the story. The rest you can read at the links here. And at a later time, maybe this evening, we plan on reproducing for you here at the website the very first comprehensive article written telling Larry Young’s side of the situation, produced for the June 2012 edition of Disclosure, before anyone else even bothered looking into the facts besides that Minton was not under investigation, and before we had the e-Edition…so this is a freebie for you. Ask yourself…when was the last time a body was found in someone’s room, and that “someone” WASN’T immediately dragged into a local police department and interviewed?

When, indeed.

 

WILLIAMSON CO. (Marion), Ill. — A two car accident in Marion has resulted in at least one vehicle hitting a locally owned hair salon.

Authorities didn’t have all of the details yet, but Disclosure’s corespondent was able to learn that a Chevy Malibu was hit by another vehicle on DeYoung Street in Marion. The Malibu then ran into the side of Toni’s Hair Salon, which is located at 1201 N Van Buren Street.

Authorities told Disclosure that one vehicle had already been removed from the scene. No word yet on the condition of the drivers, or the damages to the salon.

We will have more details shortly, so check back frequently. Also, be sure to follow our RSS Feed so you will have the latest on this news and more!

EFFINGHAM, Ill.—Effingham County State’s Attorney Bryan M. Kibler has filed a Class X felony homicide charge against Richard B. Marschke, 32, of Vandalia, in connection with the January death of Jordan J. Kull, 31, of Altamont.

Kibler charged this morning that Marschke committed the offense of Drug Induced Homicide on January 14 of this year in that Marschke “knowingly delivered a substance containing heroin” to Jordan Kull and that Kull “subsequently died as result of the injection of said heroin into his body.”

“Our actions today are based upon toxicology reports from the Effingham County Coroner’s office and ongoing, diligent wok by agents of Illinois State Police District 12 and State Police Zone 7 investigations,” Kibler said. Others assisting in the matter included the Altamont Police Department, Effingham Police Department, Effingham County Sheriff’s Department and the Vandalia Police Department.

The filing of additional charges against Marschke remains a possibility, said Kibler.

At Kibler’s request, Judge Kimberly G. Koester set Marschke’s bond Wednesday morning at $1,000,000. It is anticipated that Marschke will make his initial court appearance on Thursday, July 3, at 1 p.m.

As currently filed, the Class X felony charge of Drug Induced Homicide against Richard B. Marschke is punishable upon conviction by not less than six but not more than 30 years in prison.

Jay C. Miller

Also, on June 10, in an unrelated case, an Effingham County jury convicted Jay C. Miller, 23, of Altamont, of the offense of Drug Induced Homicide in connection with the February 2014 heroin overdose death of Jessica M. James, 29, of Effingham (and formerly of Shelbyville). Miller is set for sentencing on July 31.

WAYNE CO., Ill. — An Alton man has been taken to an area hospital for treatment of his injuries after authorities say he rolled the truck he was driving.

According to the Illinois State Police, at approximately 1:25 p.m. today (Wednesday, July 2), Robert L. Shurn, 29, of Alton, was driving a 2013 Penske truck southbound on U.S. 45 when he failed to negotiate a turn onto westbound Interstate 64 on-ramp.

Police say the truck overturned and came to rest on the driver’s side.

Shurn was transported from the crash scene by the Wayne County Ambulance and taken to an area hospital for treatment of his injuries.

Authorities say Shurn was wearing his seatbelt at the time of the crash.

The Penske truck he was driving is said to have received major damage and had to be towed from the scene by Rick’s Towing of Fairfield.

Illinois State Police District 19 was assisted by the Wayne County Ambulance Service and the Fairfield Rural Fire Department.

The Illinois State Police Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Officer also join in the investigation.

Shurn was cited for Failure to Reduce Speed to Avoid an Accident and Operating in Violation of Driver’s License Restriction.

That’s right, you’re getting TWO issues in the month of July because as soon as the weather heats up, we’ve learned over the past 11 years, the crime and corruption does, too…so we have to put out extra papers in order to cover it all.

And boy, do we ever have it going on in this issue, the Special Edition, which is on stands now and available for you right here at the e-Edition if you have an online membership. Public official buttholes are puckering all over the readership area as some of the articles we’ve been working on the facts of for MONTHS have gotten to the stage where we can produce them…so you’re in for a treat with this one.

To help you know what’s in this issue, we produce Print Headlines every month, with a link that goes right to the e-Edition article, and each headline is a preview of the articles: dateline (where the material in the article took place), headline/link, and a brief synopsis. Each section of the paper is also broken down and highlighted prior to introduction of articles. So without further ado, here’s THIS MONTH’S PRINT HEADLINES for the July Special Edition of Disclosure on stands now.

PAGE 1

Shawn Gregory

SALINE CO.—Police officers focus of steroid investigation: In one of those news stories we’ve been examining since last October, we’re telling you how the whole issue of steroid use by cops came to the attention of some VERY high-up officials…we don’t know what’s going to be done with it, but rest assured…we will find out, and will bring subsequent material to you as we get it.

SOUTHERN ILLINOIS—Cities want weed farm: So now that pot’s more socially-acceptable (you know, since the state has declared that it can be used as medicine, something a LOT of people have known for a LONG time…and which might explain why a plant is ILLEGAL), everybody wants a pot farm. Read the article about who all is throwing their hat into the ring.

Bobby Deppen

HARDIN CO.—Deputy’s legal woes may just be starting: What on earth did former Hardin County chief deputy Bobby Deppen DO in Johnson County? Well, authorities are alleging it’s something very specific…and very, very bad. And…it might not be the only time. Check this article to learn more.

Joe Bleyer and someone. Obviously at a party. Maybe talking about how “entertaining” the deaths of young people really ARE.

MARION—School Board President finds deaths ‘entertaining’—Yes, you read that right. And the bottom line fact here is….There are just some public officials who are so full of hubris (Ang’s favorite word this month) that they will say such revolting things, and on a public forum. Such is the case with Joe Bleyer, attorney…which leads us to another point: There are already two public offices mandated by the Constitution that HAVE to be held by attorneys. I think it should be illegal for them to hold any other public office. This article exemplifies why.

Elizabeth Dorsie Willoughby. Maybe because one of her parents had a lisp and couldn’t say “Dorothy”

LAWRENCE CO.—Has theft case exposed corruption? It’s no secret that we are supporters of the one-man crusade that is James Brunson. If anyone has been successful at tilting at windmills, it’s that guy. But when another crime happened to him recently, something unfolded that has turned out to be more than a little bizarre. We produced this very complicated article laying it all out…and laying the groundwork for something we’ve long suspected in Lawrence County: that the corruption there extends to the highest levels. Who’s pulling the strings? We don’t know. But the chubby little tart featured here near the link has no idea what her (allegedly) greedy ass kicked off…hopefully, someone will tell her. Also, extend our thanks. Sometimes, it takes the utterly clueless to help us break through in our investigations.

Aw. Eric Gregg, behind bars.

SALINE CO.—Refusal costs Gregg attorneys: Gregg? As in, ERIC Gregg? Yes, he’s made the front page again, for the second issue in a row. Why? Wait til you read this…you’re not going to believe it…and remember that old saw: Give a person enough rope….

BACK PAGE

SALINE CO.—Increase SA staff? Answer to budget crisis could be right in front of county board: Remember that county board story last month, wherein there were members of the board shouting gloom and doom and bankruptcy, and showing figures to prove it? Well, we did a little investigating…and found out they were wrong. Way wrong. And not only are they way wrong, they’re holding up taking moves that could provide the county with the very funds they say they’re lacking. This article lines it all out.

SALINE CO.—Cat lady takes county board member to court for ‘stalking’: The life of a public official isn’t always an easy one. Sometimes, there are people who will say things that are just close enough to what’s going on that will throw a whole pile of doubt—and dirt—in peoples’ impressions of someone. In this case, it’s not just dirt….it’s cat litter. Read this intriguing coverage of a court case dating back to June 26…if for nothing else than a good, hearty belly laugh.

HARRISBURG—Moss submits FOIAs to city: Yep. With the re-emergence of Eric Gregg into the public’s conscience once again, it looks like another local notable (of the ‘notorious’ variety, which is to say….nothing good) has crawled out of the woodwork: Raymond Moss. What’s he up to? Well. He wants out of prison. And if he destroys the city of Harrisburg in order to do it, he’s gonna. We know him. Just watch.

WHITE CO.—Accused child sex offender acquitted: White County prosecutor Denton Aud is a very capable state’s attorney; probably one of the best in the 20 counties we cover. The biggest problem he’s plagued with is that he’s constantly having to use ISP’s Rick White as an investigator in his cases….and Rick White, being a boil on the ass of ISP, keeps screwing up. Here’s his latest.

 PAGE 2

WILLIAMSON CO.—Tax fraud, corruption in Williamson County dissected and exposed, part 2: The second of a summer-long series of tax property dealings in Williamson County that you’re just not gonna believe…and yet, there are the documents to prove them. Wondering why Marion schools are having such a struggle? The answer is on page 2 every month til the series is done. Read it and weep. Then take action.

Chuck Garnati

WILLIAMSON CO.—Will Garnati resign; and who has been tapped as his replacement? That’s the big burning question in Williamson, but it appears, according to inside sources, that we have the answer. He’s right there on page 2, but so’s his history…and it’s both sad, and disconcerting.

PAGE 3

HARDIN CO.—Pill-popping sister of dead woman says ‘Media can kiss my a$$!’ No, really…that’s exactly what Tami Jackson said. And yes, we had it here on the site on the free side in mid-June…but since that time, she’s gone to the media AGAIN. And so, for those in Hardin following the story but who don’t have the internet (yes, there are still people out there who don’t) we produced this little gem in order to keep them apprised of which way the yoyo is rolling and bouncing. Probably will be something different by July 23…the girl can’t keep from running her yap…and it’s caused problems in the Chrissy Williams investigation.

EGYPT

HARRISBURG—Simpering Sally the city clerk gets second raise in THREE MONTHS: Somebody yesterday said we’re being rough on poor Sally Wofford, city clerk of Harrisburg. Really? When she starts paying MY way, I’ll soften up. In the meantime, she’s gotten another raise….and the people can’t do a damn thing about it. So let me add…when they CAN, I’ll ALSO soften up. But for now, she’s also the subject of our page 4 Disclosure ‘toon. Deal with it.

SALINE CO.—Rocky Branch Road being turned into a mud slick due to heavy equipment: It’s a Rocky Branch v. Peabody update, and it looks like there’s a little bit of spite going on…see what the deal is in this article, and what’s being done about it.

CARRIER MILLS—Carrier Mills tackles unpaid water bills, storm sirens and warns of A/C thefts: It’s an ongoing plague on landlords: tenants leaving without paying water bills to the city, then the city feels compelled to come after the landlords. Here’s how the locals in tha Mills are dealing with it.

HARDIN CO.—Prosecutorial ineptitude continues its perpetual plague of the people in Hardin: Lots of alliteration here, but there’s a point: Tara Wallace. Read what she’s been up to lately.

GALLATIN CO.—Violence, theft and drugs charged in Gallatin: The Gallatin County crim report. Nothing really new, but you’ll recognize some of the names.

SALINE CO.—Raleigh man charged with domestic one day then burglary 13 days later: You’d think that little Raleigh up in the northwest part of Saline might be a little calmer than the stuff we keep bringing you from there….but you’d be wrong.

SALINE CO.—Ex-boyfriend busted for taking car: A Harrisburg-centered story about the kind of stuff people have to put up with happening there, every. damn. day.

SALINE CO.—Teen busted with case of beer near McDonald’s officers go through cellphone: Really? We thought the Supreme Court said that can’t be done…but as it turns out, there are exceptions for juveniles under CERTAIN circumstances…and this is one of them.

Peggy Stanfield. Don’t drink and ram your disposable car into your husband’s car.

SALINE CO.—Wife arrested for DUI after ramming her Hyundai repeatedly into husband’s truck: Well…the old joke about Hyundais were that they were “disposable cars”…but this old gal is taking that a bit too far.

WILLIAMSON CO.—A host of activity fills police blotter and court docket in Williamson Co.: Be sure to read this one; there’s a little ditty in it about a guy from Harrisburg who allegedly tried to avail GateHouse Media in Marion of quite a bundle of money, but whether it was from a paper route or whether he was handling money in the drawer at the local failing paper is unknown thanks to rather vague charges.

SALINE CO.—Couple’s argument over pot ends in violence: Here’s a recommendation to them: SMOKE the shit FIRST, before fighting over it. If you mellow out, you might have a little less to deliver…but you won’t have the cops called on you and lose your entire stash and the deliveries everybody else was counting on. Geesh.

SALINE CO.—Women charged with lying to obtain ID: Hardin County ladies taking it up to Saline. Just a bad idea, all the way around.

PAGE 17 FEATURE

New author Lesa Taylor

Clay County woman authors first book: The 13th Vow—We’re big on local authors here, and this one from up in Clay County gets our props on her first effort, which is actually part of a trilogy. Read about Lesa Taylor and what she’s doing in the publishing arena!

HEARTLAND

EDGAR CO.—Scourge of Edgar County resigns from Emergency Telephone System Board: What’s an issue of Disclosure without chronicling the exploits of one of the worst humans Richland County has ever churned out?—Dee Burgin is back in the headlines, having been forced to make a decision–by LAW, something he’s not familiar with–of either being a deputy or being on the E911 board. Of course, all the glam is with being a deputy, so that’s what he chose. Now, we’re all just waiting around for him to screw up THAT. And it’ll happen…it’s DeeBoy, after all.

CRAWFORD CO.—Noble man faces drug charges in Crawford while arson and theft charged in other cases: This is the second Clay County crossover into Crawford that locals have seen in the past several months…wonder what the draw is?

CRAWFORD CO.—Sex offender fails to register, again: The doings of a Crawford County registered sex offender make the docket again this month.

CLARK CO.—Clark Co. Park District Board agrees to pay settlement; Watchdogs make national news: A month after the entire Clark County (Mill Creek) Park Board was placed under citizen’s arrest by John Kraft, major media nationwide is still talking about it, but remember…you read it here first. See what the park board is doing now…and how the ‘dogs are still on em…and how they might’s just as well give up.

EFFINGHAM CO.—Law says: Effingham County schools can’t just search students’ cell phones for ANY reason: And parents are up in arms about it, because the school board is trying to stretch Illinois’ overreaching law about how school officials can handle kids’ social networking accounts. Oh, and the board doesn’t understand how to run a meeting, either…but they got schooled (heh) by the Watchdogs.

EFFINGHAM CO.—Disclosure staff among those honored at ‘From the Good of Illinois’ banquet in Effingham: Yes, we did. Back in June. We don’t toot our horns much, because we don’t want the message to get lost, which is why we stopped doing vidcasts and podcasts…but yeah, we were recognized at the banquet. As were other people who were doing work uncovering corruption in the state.

CENTRAL

OLNEY—City addresses junk and rail crossing closure: There’s a mess right in the middle of the city of Olney, and no, we’re not talking Brian James O’Neill…this is more like a junkyard. Well…it IS a junkyard. And some neighbors are concerned about it.

CLAY CO.—60-year-old charged with knocking another elderly man unconscious: What happens when two “old guys” have a knock-down drag-out? Why, one gets arrested, of course. With that additional impact on the felony of “a person older than the age of 60″ added for good measure.

LAWRENCE CO.—Forty-something charged with sexual misconduct with two underage kids: Maybe she thought it was a good idea at the time…allegedly, of course? Right. But…having sex with 16-year-olds when you’re in your 40s is a crime. Ah! Bet THAT got the attention of a lot of people….

HAMILTON CO.—Benton man gets prison time in Hamilton: Yet another crossover. And then there’s Carl Payne.

RICHLAND CO.—Richland teeming with drugs and violence: Not exactly a “news flash”y headline…we already knew it. But here’s more proof.

WHITE CO.—Carrier Mills man charged in White Co. with brutalizing woman for four days: What’s with all the crossovers this month? We don’t know…but this one’s pretty severe.

WABASH CO.—Prescription medication charged in Wabash Co.: The usual suspects rounded up for another month in WabCo.

OP-ED

COLUMNS
SURLY & UNCOOPERATIVE (Jack): DoD spending money where it’s already being spent
ICY (Ang): The corrupt play dangerous cat & mouse
NOT JADED (Jade): Three years clean: Month of June holds special place
MINKUS INK (Bubba): Gay ‘rights’? You’d be surprised who your proponent are
REDHEAD RAMPAGE (Lyndi): You’re talking to the tooth girl, right here

BACK OVER YOUR TALES: What we were covering in July 2009: The deaths of Jason Hoy, Jessika James and Chris Heid; Codi Busby in Xenia and the matter of Terry Jenkins; Bently Rubsam confesses to child porn; the illegal with the hilarious name in Wayne; Willy Krup does some damage in Wabash; coverage of Bruce Mendenhall’s alleged killing spree across several states in the Midwest; Morgan Fehrenbacher’s tatas; Amanda Colclasure’s violent past; Lil Nate and Jessica get hemmed up after beating up a car; a Fort Branch, Indiana girl boggles everyone with her exploits at the tender age of 15; and the rundown on Raymond Martin in federal court.

Man! It’s been a killer news day today in the region, and Lyndi has it all for you for the evening of Wednesday, July 2, 2014, in AUDIO.

Topics covered include: Shooting in Marion late last night injures two; details of the wrongful death suit against Richie Minton are revealed; Effingham charges another drug-induced homicide; two wrecks occur in the area: Wayne County, and in the middle of Marion; and PRINT HEADLINES are ready for you so you can get a glimpse of what’s in this issue!

Because….IT’S HAWT

WILLIAMSON CO./U.S. DISTRICT COURT, BENTON— The father of a 15-year-old Carterville High School teen who took his life after viewing a video about bullying shown by the school has filed a federal Wrongful Death lawsuit.

Brad Lewis, of Collinsville, believes the video, shown to the sophomore students at a school seminar, which he claims contained information on the choice of suicide when dealing with bullies, lead to his Jordan Lewis’ death.

Following the video, one of Jordan’s friends told about the bullying and his thoughts on killing himself.

Jordan Lewis

She reported it to her grandmother, who called police.

Authorities are said to have checked on the teen and found him to be okay.

However, the next day his mother, Tina Lewis, called home to make sure he had gotten up for school and received no answer.

When she came home from work later that day she found her son dead from a self-inflicted shotgun wound to the chest.

Numerous bullying reports made, claims that coach instigated

Individuals listed in the lawsuit include: Carterville Community Unit School Dist. #5, Cambria Police Dept., District School Superintendent Bob Prusator, of 105 South Maple St., Cambria; Principal of Carterville High School Keith Liddell, of 1005 Jeffrey Dr., Carterville; Football Coach at Carterville High School Dennis Drust, of 1205 Mockingbird Ln., Carterville; Erik Rebstock, of 757 Holt Rd., #1, Webster NY., who was living with the teen and his mother at the time of his death; and 3screens.com who produced the anti-bullying video Lewis believes lead to his son’s death.

According to the filing, some of the bullying Jordan endured included but wasn’t limited to his head being slammed into the lockers by students and members of the Carterville High School football team, Jordan being punched on multiple occasions by students of Carterville High School, Carterville High School students attempting to push Jordan down flights of stairs and Jordan being called embarrassing names and ridiculed on a regular basis while attending Carterville High School.

Lewis claims in the lawsuit that Carterville High School Principal Keith Liddell and football coach Dennis Drust were both made aware of all the incidents of bullying being perpetrated against Jordan but did little to nothing to remedy the situation nor did they take any corrective action to prevent any further bullying in the future.

Lewis claims there were even times when coach Drust was the one who instigated the bullying against Jordan.

When advised of the bullying, Drust, instead of calling down those who were doing the bullying, told the young teen to “toughen up.”

“Piercing the Darkness” no notification and no opt out

While the video “Piercing the Darkness” is billed as an anti-bullying video allegedly meant to inform students about the potential “darkness” they may encounter when confronting issues such as drug abuse, bullying and disabilities and how to bring light into their lives and the lives of others, it showed pictures of young students who had committed suicide due to bullying, leaving many of the students who viewed the video in tears while reliving their own experiences with bullying.

One of the more disturbing aspects of “seminar” is that neither parents nor students were notified the video was going to be played and the school offered no opt out for students.

Following the video Jordan is said to have expressed his suicidal thoughts and one of the students said to him, “You don’t have the balls to kill yourself.”

The next day, October 17, 2013, Jordan walked up to Erik Rebstock’s unlocked gun case, located in his mother’s home that she shared with Rebstock, and, according to the filing, “pulled out a negligently stored shotgun and fatally shot himself in the chest.”

A letter, from Jordan, found in the home said: “Bullying has caused me to do this those of you know who you are.”

Policy required by law to be implemented

Illinois law required each school district create, maintain and implement a policy on bullying and while Carterville School District has such a policy, Jordan’s father believed they never implemented it.

The Carterville School District’s police regarding bullying actually states: “The District will not tolerate harassing, intimidating conduct, or bullying whether verbal, physical or visual that affects the tangible benefits of education, that unreasonably interfere with a student’s educational performance, or that creates an intimidating, hostile, or offensive educational environment. Any district employee who is determined, after an investigation, to have engaged in conduct prohibited by this policy will be subject to disciplinary action up to and including discharge. Any district student who is determined, after an investigation, to have engaged in conduct prohibited by this police will be subject to disciplinary action, including but not limited to, suspension and expulsion consistent with the disciplinary policy.”

Jordan’s father believes that despite the “policy” there is no evidence that the school district put into practice their own policies and procedures to respond to and acting to prevent further occurrences of bullying, harassment, and violence.

Instead of promoting an environment that was sensitive to bullying, harassment, and violence the court filing says, “Carterville School District fostered an environment where bullying, harassment, and violence was uncontrolled and when it occurred, school personnel did not intervene and/or take part ‘took part’ in instigation of such acts.”

Neglected to protect student

Lewis claims the school district denied his son his rights under the Fourteenth Amendment of the United States Constitution, being the right to bodily integrity, to be secure and to be left alone and to life by condoning practices, including but not limited to inadequate training of teachers, administrators and faculty members regarding bullying, harassment and violence; the failure to follow policies and procedures to protect Jordan from known dangerous situations, including the regularly occurring bullying, harassment and violence; the inadequate investigations of complaints by students of bullying, the negligent permitting of the bullying, harassment and violence after being informed of and/or witnessing the acts with reckless and wanton disregard for Jordan’s civil rights.

Jordan is said to have reported incidents of bullying, harassment and violence on several occasions.

The filing claims that the superintendent, principal and coach all knew or should have known about the bullying, harassment and violence being perpetrated upon Jordan.

And that the three men’s “statements and omissions… were shocking to the conscience… That Jordan was embarrassed, humiliated, suffered mental anguish, was the subject of ridicule and suffered physical injury… which continued until Jordan Lewis [who was allowed to be tormented and ridiculed on a regular basis, and allowed to be physically harmed on multiple occasions while on school premises] took his life.”

More should have been done by many

Lewis claims that officer Paisley, of the Cambria Police Department, after speaking with Jordan and his mother Tina, knew or should have know Jordan was at risk and should have contacted someone trained in suicide prevention to assess Jordan’s situation or he should have taken Jordan to the nearby hospital where he could have been properly evaluated.

He claims that Rebstock was negligent when, after Jordan had expressed suicidal thoughts to a friend, he left an unlocked case of firearms readily available to Jordan the next morning.

“A reasonable person in Mr. Rebstock’s position would have safely stored his firearms as to prevent a live-in 15-year-old boy with suicidal thoughts from accessing the weapons,” the filing stated.

Lewis, through his attorney D. Todd Mathews, of Gori Julian & Associates, of Edwardsville, is asking for a jury trial and to be awarded unspecified compensatory and punitive damages, an award for pain and suffering, attorney’s fees, expenses and costs of the lawsuit and for “such further relief as the court deems necessary, just and proper.”

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Rick White, headed into the Richland County Courtroom with his attorney, William Hudson, February 2013

RICHLAND CO.—Those who have been following the unfolding saga of ISP investigator Rick White and the stalking claim made by his former supervisor Kelly Henby will be interested in learning what occurred in Richland County circuit court Tuesday.

After all, Illinois State Police Division of Internal Investigations are interested….they’ve been attending every hearing.

Our correspondent in Olney advised that the hearing held Tuesday, July 1 kicked off promptly at 2 p.m. and involved the arguments as we presented them in the June 2014 edition (which you can see if you have an online subscription to the e-Edition at this link here; and if you have a sub, you might also want to check into the sizable article we produced in advance of that one in the May-June 2014 edition at this link here). At issue, basically, is whether or not Rick White’s behavior toward Kelly Henby over two years’ time (2011-2013) constituted “stalking.” Henby says it does: he says that White engaged in a course of conduct that resulted in Henby getting fraudulently charged with a misdemeanor in Coles County, then taking that failed case to the Illinois Department of Professional Regulation (one of lil Pricky’s favorite alternatives when he can’t get someone in trouble criminally) and creating such a case against his intended victim that they lose a professional license. In this instance, Henby was sanctioned regarding the way his employer, PII (a private investigation service) worded things on a business card. Yes, Rick White gets that petty.

Following that, White, Henby says, engaged in a course of conduct that continued to take him in contact with members of Henby’s family, including after his wife’s grandmother died in early 2013…where at the funeral, White showed up, and caused concern for the Henbys by his presence alone. White was told to leave the funeral home…and immediately following that, Henby filed a Stalking/No-Contact order against him in February 2013.

Now, for those who are thinking this is tenuous at best…it appeared, at the outset, that that’s what Judge Chris Weber thought, too. At the February 2013 hearing, Weber determined that Henby hadn’t articulated clearly what “at least two instances of stalking” were, and gave him leave to elaborate on it. Later that year, he did…by stating that White had started the “stalking” when he had ISP’s Greg Hanisch contact us here at Disclosure in order to advise us that there was a warrant for Henby’s arrest in Coles, in early February 2011.

Hanisch did, as we published here and in print many times.

But was White right in doing such a thing?

Kelly Henby, talking to his attorney Chuck Roberts in February 2013

That’s what Weber was tasked with ruling on yesterday in court.

As a course of action in the case, Henby’s attorney, (not-our-favorite-person) Chuck Roberts, had filed to obtain materials from ISP, issuing subpoenas. ISP has refused to release the material even via subpoena (because, you know; they’re above the law) and as a result sent an attorney from the Illinois Attorney General’s office to represent their interests in the case. White is represented by very capable attorney William Hudson of Mt. Carmel…but Hudson doesn’t have much to work with. That’s because White has come up with the defense that he was merely “exercising his right to the First Amendment” when he called Hanisch and sent Hanisch to tell us at Disclosure that Henby was about to be arrested and charged.

White’s camp presented that argument. Then Chuckles took the floor, and advised that while the First Amendment’s all well and good (he’s the one who tried to strip us of ours, remember…so he was treading lightly), there was just one little codicil in this: The warrant hadn’t been served when White called Hanisch, and even when Hanisch called us about it, and told us that ISP was wanting us to publish it.

And the air, our correspondent reported to us, was audibly sucked from Rick White’s lungs when Roberts dropped that little factoid in there.

Roberts went on.

“If a state’s attorney did that,” he said mildly, “he’d be in Springfield answering to an ARDC complaint.”

Weber gave this some thought, then leaned over the bench.

“Hypothetically,” the judge said, “I could see a case where I don’t like my neighbor, and I intend to cause problems for him. So I call the local paper, and have them print something negative about him.” He looked right at White. “That,” Weber said, “would fall under stalking. It would intimidate me if I were that neighbor, knowing someone did that.”

And it appeared the enormity of what White had done—and this is undisputed, as Hanisch has already submitted his statement to the February 2011 for all parties involved, and has actually been reprimanded by ISP for calling us…but Rick White of course never gets reprimanded for giving early information to Fairfield’s radio station and little newspaper—kind of hit him like a ton of bricks at that point, and the air whooshed out of him again. Because it appears that’s what he’s done: He let slip that info about the warrant prematurely, for no purpose other than to hassle Henby, who had been investigating, through the agency he worked for, the fraudulent claim of child molestation against another ISP retiree, Jim Hinkle, in Wayne County.

Weber has taken the case under advisement and it’s thought that he’ll return a decision in 30 days. If he determines that White has actually been stalking Henby, that opens up a whole new can of worms for the pissy little man who’s been navigating topix.com and enlisting the aid of other community losers like arsonist Roy Finley (his cousin) and a small handful of others whom we’ve only just last month identified, and attempting to disparage us and our paper with some of the most vile filth possible as well as putting himself forward as someone else (which is illegal; when we get all the documentation on that, it’s going to blow sky-high and it’s going to take several, both public and private individuals, down with it, from locations between Saline County all the way up to Cook, and lots in between). And all because he’s got a hard-on for his former supervisors who have shown him to be what he is: a lazy “investigator” whose only motivation stems from the desire to harm those whom he’s perceived have wronged him in some way.

In addition to the horror White has wrought upon Henby and Hinkle, he’s now also under investigation for perjury (which is why you’re getting spoon-fed all the wondrous Rick White crime solving tales lately from Wayne County media, who follow him around like a lovesick teenage boy….so they can divert and distract from the truth) in Richland, this for allegedly lying on the stand during the very first minutes of questioning at Henby’s initial OP hearing. You can read all about that at this link. ISP has reportedly refused to turn over material under subpoena request on that issue, too…which explains, perhaps, the increasing presence of DII and now the AG at the ongoing hearings.

There will of course be more in the July/August issue, on stands July 23…be sure and pick that one up, or subscribe to the online e-Edition right now by following this link, so you won’t miss a thing.