WILLIAMSON CO. — Williamson County’s new state’s attorney Brandon Zanotti, who was handed the reins upon the resignation of long-time prosecutor Chuck Garnati, has had a busy September filing felonies.
Theft charged
This month’s report starts with Shara L. Peyton, 38, of Marion, who has been charged with two felony counts of theft.
Count 1 states that on September 13, 2014 within Williamson County the defendant Shara Peyton knowingly obtained control over certain stolen property of Christina Shadowens, this being a black Hewlett Packard laptop computer, property having a value in excess of $500 but not more than $10,000, under such circumstances as would reasonably induce her to believe the property was stolen, intending to deprive Christina Shadowens permanently of the use and benefit of the property. This is a class 3 felony. Count 2 states the same charges with the inclusion the defendant Shara Peyton had previously convicted of Identity Theft in Williamson County in 2013. Count 2 is a Class 4 felony. On September 17, a warrant was issued for her arrest; on the 26th, she bonded out.
Peyton has a busy criminal history in Williamson, with her first felony conviction coming about in 2007 after a Possession of Controlled Substance plea, plead down from Cocaine Delivery, got her probation and a fine. She was revoked in 2010 but managed to get that under control until the Identity Theft charge.
Her next court appearance as of press time was scheduled for October 27.
Repeat crim, MXA
Another repeat crim in Williamson, Morgan X. Alexander, 27, of Marion, has been charged with one count of Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance with Intent to Deliver.
Authorities state that on September 16, 2014 within Williamson County, Alexander knowingly possessed one or more grams but less than 15 grams of a substance containing cocaine, a controlled substance with the intent to deliver it, other than as authorized in the Controlled Substance Act. This is a Class 1 felony.
Alexander is a regular in Williamson County’s court system, with felonies on record dating back to 2005 when he was at the tender age of 18 (nothing earlier than that is available, as juvenile files are not open to the public). Alexander’s first felony conviction was of violence (Battery) and things went downhill from there. His next charge was that of Criminal Sexual Assault in 2006, which was dismissed…as were Residential Burglary and theft in early 2008. However, a second Burglary charge that year got him convicted…and a 2009 Residential Burglary charge in 2009 got him sent to DOC.
This didn’t curtail his criminal activity long; back on the streets in August of 2011, Alexander managed to get hemmed up in the Controlled Substance realm again, and was sent to DOC again in January 2012 for only a little while.
Alexander is being held in Williamson County Jail on $7,500 bond and is on hold for Illinois Department of Corrections, as he was only just released on parole July 28 of this year.
Meth making alleged
Jeremiah A. Breckenridge, 31 of West Frankfort, is alleged to have committed the offense of Participation in Methamphetamine Manufacturing in that on September 13, 2014, Breckinridge participated in the manufacture of more than 100 grams but less than 400 grams of a substance methamphetamine, a Class X Felony. A second count alleges that Breckenridge committed the offense of Unlawful Possession of Methamphetamine Manufacturing Material in that on September 13 he had in his possession coffee filters, crystal drain opener, instant cold ice pack and a bottle of Coleman fuel, methamphetamine manufacturing material with the intent that they be used to manufacture methamphetamine. This is a Class 2 felony. Count 3 states Breckenridge committed the offense of Unlawful Disposal of Methamphetamine Manufacturing Waste this is also a Class 2 felony. Count 4 is a charge of Unlawful Possession of Methamphetamine, a Class 3 felony. Breckenridge is being held on a $5,000 cash bond in Williamson County Jail.
Arson, molestation, animal cruelty alleged
Anthony R. Hassett of Marion has been charged with a single count of Arson. Authorities allege that on September 4, Hassett knowingly by means of fire damaged a trailer belonging to J. David Thompson Realty, located at 2000 Princeton Ave. #10 in Marion. This is a Class 2 felony charge. He is free on a $1,000 cash bond and cannot enter any property managed by J. David Thompson Realty.
Dennis E. Albright, 57 of Marion, has been charged with a count of Criminal Sexual Abuse. Charges were filed on August 27 stemming from an incident that happened on March 24 in Williamson County. Albright is accused of committing an act of sexual conduct with T.G., who was 14 at the time the offense was committed, in that by the use of force Dennis Albright placed his hand on the breast of T.G. This is a Class 2 felony.
And speaking of alleged harm to other helpless creatures, James A. Sims, 63, of Herrin, has been charged with Aggravated Cruelty to Animals, a Class 4 Felony. Sims is accused of slashing the throat of a pit bull owned by Harvey Maze. Maze also filed an Order Of Protection against Sims, who is free on $750 cash bond.