Peoria County State's Attorney

The St. Jude Run brings this community together every summer as runners gather from all over to run with a purpose.
Yesterday, two of our staff members ran with members of the Peoria Police Department, and we are so proud of their efforts. Congratulations, and thank you to all of the St. Jude runners.

DEFENDANT SENTENCED FOR 2022 MURDER

July 15, 2024, Peoria, IL – Today, Rev Blakes, 43, was sentenced to 52 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections for murdering Michael Davis, 32, in June 2022 in front of his family. On April 5, 2024, Blakes was found guilty by a Peoria County jury of First Degree Murder and Unlawful Possession of a Weapon by a Felon.

On the day of the murder, Davis enjoyed a summer BBQ with family when Blakes showed up on a motorized bike and began arguing with him over money. As the argument escalated, Blakes pulled out a gun and shot Davis. As Davis lay on the ground, Blakes shot him three more times. Blakes then fled and threw the gun in a creek nearby.
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MAN CHARGED FOR KEEPING DOG IN 150-DEGREE VEHICLE

July 15, 2024, Peoria, IL—Today, Hunter Melsha, 27, was charged with Animal Cruelty after keeping his dog in a vehicle where the inside temperature reached 150 degrees.

On Saturday around 1:30 p.m., officers were dispatched to the 200 block of Pecan Street in the Warehouse District on a report of a dog locked in a vehicle. It appeared the dog had been chewing through the window to get out, and when officers approached, the dog jumped out of the broken window. Peoria County Animal Protection Services (PCAPS) took custody of the dog. Other than minor cuts from the glass, the dog was not injured. Melsha told police that he kept the dog in the vehicle because his apartment did not allow pets and that he checked on the dog every 45 minutes.

This investigation is ongoing. If you have information regarding this incident, please contact the Peoria Police Department at 309-673-4521.

We also want to remind the public that ‘hot car’ deaths are a reality for pets too. If you see an unattended animal in a vehicle, please call PCAPS at (309) 672-2440.
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LIVE-IN CARETAKER SENTENCED FOR MURDER OF 75-YEAR-OLD

July 15, 2024, Peoria, IL – Today, Dmitri G. Rogatchev, 46, was sentenced to 60 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections by Judge John Vespa for killing Sandra Jackson, 75, in December 2019 in her home. Rogatchev was Sandra’s live-in caretaker, and on the night of the murder, he became frustrated with Sandra because she had the television on too loud. While arguing over the noise, Rogatchev became enraged and hit and kicked Sandra, ultimately causing a fatal brain injury.

Rogatchev was convicted in a Jury Trial earlier this year. Per statute, he will have to serve 100% of his sentence.
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MAN DETAINED ON AGGRAVATED DOMESTIC BATTERY

July 12, 2024, Peoria, IL – On June 27, Kenneth W. Moultrie, 28, was charged with Aggravated Domestic Battery for beating his ex-girlfriend so severely her jaw had to be wired shut. At that time, a warrant was issued for his arrest. Moultrie was arrested yesterday afternoon, and a detention hearing was held today. The State’s Petition to Detain was granted, meaning he will remain in custody until trial.

Around 2 am on June 21, police were called to the 2100 block of Linn Street in the Center Bluff on a report of a male shot. While en route, officers were informed a female had called 911, stating she was on her way to the hospital and that she had shot her boyfriend in self-defense because he was beating her. When officers arrived at Linn Street, they found a male, identified as Moultrie, with a non-life-threatening gunshot wound to the chest. At the hospital, officers met the female who called 911. She had visible injuries to her face and fully cooperated with police. She told them she had gone to Molultrie's house because he was threatening to commit su***de. When she got there, Moultrie punched her multiple times, threatened to kill her, and pinned her against a wall by her throat. While she was being pinned down, she pulled out a gun and shot him. Because she was acting in self-defense and had a lawfully owned firearm, no charges will be filed against her.

This investigation is ongoing. If you have information regarding this incident, please contact the Peoria Police Department at 309-673-4521.
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MAN CHARGED FOR SHOOTING EX-GIRLFRIEND

July 12, 2024, Peoria, IL – Today, Deandre T. Ward, 23, was charged with Aggravated Battery with a Firearm for shooting his ex-girlfriend in the back Wednesday afternoon in the East Bluff. She survived but is now paralyzed. The State’s Petition to Detain was granted during the detention hearing today, meaning he will remain in custody until trial.

Just before 1 pm on Wednesday, police were called to the 800 block of E. Virginia on a report of a person shot. When officers arrived, they found a 22-year-old female with a gunshot wound to her lower back. She was conscious and identified Ward, who she had recently broken up with, as the shooter. The entire incident was caught on video. That video shows the victim, armed with a knife, fighting with another female. After their fight ended, Ward pulled out a gun and shot the victim. Her back was toward Ward.

This investigation is ongoing. If you have information regarding this incident, please contact the Peoria Police Department at 309-673-4521.
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In celebration of National Forensic Interviewer Week, we are excited to introduce you to Krysten Biedscheid, the Child Advocacy Center’s (CAC) first in-house forensic interviewer. State’s Attorney Jodi Hoos established this new position as part of our multi-disciplinary team to better serve children in our community who have been victims of abuse.
Ms. Biedscheid came to us with various court & advocacy experiences and graduated from Western Illinois in 2019 with a bachelor's in Law Enforcement and Justice Administration.

Kiwi missed visiting with students so much during summer break that she went to camp today! She had the best time with the kids at the Peoria Park District day camp at the RiverPlex. The kids learned about her important work at the State's Attorney's Office, saw her perform her commands, got a Kiwi Coloring Book to take home, and petted her.


If you would like Kiwi to visit your summer day camp, email our office at [email protected]

Have a safe and Happy 4th of July.

Our office is closed today and will resume regular operating hours tomorrow.

CHARGES FILED IN DOG MAULING

July 3, 2024, Peoria, IL – Today, felony charges were filed against Robert L. Cady, 45, and Gabrelle L. Jones, 23, after their dogs attacked and injured a couple last week on Moss Avenue near Bradley University.

The charges stem from an incident last Thursday, June 27, where multiple pit bulls owned by Cady and Jones were running loose and attacked the victims who were out walking their dog. Cady and Jones had previously been ordered by the Peoria County Animal Protection Services (PCAPS) to keep the dogs confined because the dogs had been involved in other biting incidents and were deemed dangerous animals. The charges of Failure to Comply, Resulting in Serious Physical Injury, were a result of violating that PCAPS order. An arrest warrant was issued for Cady and Jones.

This investigation is ongoing. If you have information regarding this incident, please contact Peoria County Animal Protection Services at 309-672-2440.
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DEFENDANT SENTENCED FOR SHOOTING THAT CAUSED FATAL CAR ACCIDENT

June 27, 2024, Peoria, IL – Yesterday, Demetrius D. Drummond, 35, was sentenced to 15 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections after being convicted this past April for Unlawful Possession of a Weapon by a Felon and Reckless Discharge of a Firearm. Just before 1 am on October 28, 2023, Drummond was at a party in the 200 block of East Thrush Avenue in the East Bluff. After arguing with another partygoer, Drummond recklessly fired his gun in the air and caused a commotion in the street as several people began to flee. During that panic, 24-year-old Kobe Johnson was tragically struck and killed by a car.

During yesterday’s sentencing hearing, Johnson’s mother spoke directly to Drummond, graciously stating she knew he never intended for this tragedy to occur. Still, she had one wish: that he thinks of Johnson every day he is in prison. Assistant State’s Attorney Deb Shelby argued that Drummond’s bad choices have led to bad consequences and asked that he be punished to the maximum allowed by the law.

Judge Paul Gilfillan sentenced Drummond to nine years on the Unlawful Possession of a Weapon charge and six years on the Reckless Discharge of a Firearm charge and to be served one right after the other, making Drummond’s sentence a total of 15 years in prison.
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TEEN FOUND WITH MULTIPLE FI****MS CHARGED

June 24, 2024, Peoria, IL – Last week, Korion Hopkins, 18, was charged with Unlawful Use of a Weapon and two counts of Unlawful Possession of a Firearm after police recovered multiple fi****ms from his home in the 2600 block of West Laura Avenue. Today, a detention hearing was held, and the State’s Petition to Detain was granted, meaning he will remain in custody until trial.

Last Wednesday, police viewed Hopkins streaming a live video on Instagram from his home in West Peoria. In the video, Hopkins displayed several fi****ms, including an AK-style rifle and a handgun equipped with a “switch” that converts it to a fully automatic weapon. While executing a search warrant on the home, police took Hopkins and a 16-year-old male into custody and recovered six guns, including the guns on the live video. Preliminary testing linked four of those guns to shell casings recovered from 20 recent shootings. Additional charges are likely to be added when the case proceeds to Grand Jury next month.

The 16-year-old remains in custody in the Juvenile Detention Center for Violation of Probation and will also likely face additional charges. This investigation is ongoing. If you have information regarding this incident, please contact the Peoria Police Department at 309-673-4521.
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DEFENDANT FOUND GUILTY OF HIT AND RUN THAT SEVERELY INJURED A MAN

June 21, 2024, Peoria, IL – Today, during a bench trial, Christopher J. Shea, 45, was found guilty of Failure to Report an Accident Involving a Personal Injury for an accident that left a man severely injured. Around 5 p.m. on September 9, 2023, officers were called to Firestone on Knoxville for a man hit by a car. Upon arrival, officers found the victim, the Firestone store manager, lying in the middle of the road, bleeding heavily from his right ear. The victim received a traumatic brain injury from the accident and now has a permanent disability.

During the trial today, the victim and several Firestone employees testified that on the day of the accident, Shea had arrived at the store to pick up his car after being repaired. But instead of paying for the repairs, he grabbed the keys from the counter and took off. While Shea was leaving, the only way for the manager to avoid getting run over was to jump on top of the car on the driver's side. He fell off in the middle of the road as Shea drove across Knoxville. Shea never stopped, returned, or reported the accident. The car was found outside a house in the 3000 block of NE Adams. Shea and the keys to the car were found inside one of the apartments in that house. When Shea took the stand, he admitted he intended to take the car without paying but never saw the victim holding onto the car. Witness testimony proved otherwise.

Sentencing is set for August 19.
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Juneteenth marks the official end of slavery in 1865 when all enslaved people learned that they were free. It is more than just a date; it symbolizes the long journey toward freedom and honors the strength found within that journey.

Happy Father's Day from everyone at the Peoria County State's Attorney's Office.

TWO TEENS CHARGED IN RECENT SHOOTINGS

June 14, 2024, Peoria, IL – Today, the Peoria County State’s Attorney's office charged two teenagers in recent shootings in central Peoria. Christopher Polnitz Cleary,19, was charged with two counts of Aggravated Discharge of a Firearm and three counts of Aggravated Unlawful Use of a Weapon. The State’s Petition to Detain was granted for Cleary, and he will remain in custody until trial. Camarion Puryear,18, was charged with Aggravated Unlawful Use of a Weapon. The State’s Petition to Detain was denied for Puryear, and the court released him from custody.

Around 9 pm on June 7, police responded to a Shot Spotter alert in the 700 block of E. Frye Avenue. No one was injured, but two vehicles were struck by gunfire, and 63 shell casings were recovered. Detectives developed a blue Dodge Caliber as a suspect vehicle during the investigation.

Around 6:50 pm on June 9, Peoria Police responded to a Shot Spotter alert in the 900 block of W. Hanssler Place. No one was injured, but a home and vehicle were struck by gunfire, and 51 shell casings were recovered. Detectives developed a blue Dodge Caliber as a suspect vehicle during the investigation.

Cleary and Puryear were taken into custody near the suspect vehicle on Wednesday. Upon searching the vehicle, two guns were recovered, and a drum magazine. Cleary admitted the car and one of the guns was his. Shell casings from both guns recovered matched shell casings recovered from both the June 7 and 9 shootings.

These investigations are ongoing. If you have information regarding these incidents, please contact the Peoria Police Department at 309-673-4521.
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FINAL REPORT RELEASED ON CHILLICOTHE OFFICER-INVOLVED SHOOTING

The Office of the Peoria County State's Attorney has examined the evidence, exhibits, circumstances, facts, and law relative to the shooting death of Marvin V. Martin III on February 13, 2024. Sorting out witnesses, reviewing digital footage, and processing evidence takes time. The culmination of that review is that Mr. Martin acted in a manner that left a Chillicothe Police Officer with no choice but to use deadly force.

READ THE FULL REPORT HERE: https://peoriacounty.gov/DocumentCenter/View/12526/Final-Report-Chillicothe-Officer-Involved-Shooting

Let's welcome our summer legal interns, Mr. Lee and Mr. Allen. Both are law students at the University of Iowa College of Law. Over the next few weeks, they will rotate through each division, including felony, civil, traffic, juvenile, and more, to gain experience in various aspects of the work done at the Peoria County State's Attorney's Office.

If you want to learn more about our summer internship program, please email us at [email protected].

MAN DRIVING 90 IN 35MPH ZONE SENTENCED FOR RECKLESS HOMICIDE

June 6, 2024, Peoria, IL – Today Circuit Judge John Vespa sentenced Adrian Isom Gregory, 33, to 10 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections, the maximum allowed under the law, for a November 2020 car accident that killed his girlfriend and seriously injured another woman. In March, a Peoria County Jury found Gregory guilty of Reckless Homicide and Aggravated Reckless Driving. Gregory was driving over 90mph on Reservoir Boulevard, where the speed limit is 35, when he crashed into another vehicle, killing his passenger, Aries Terrell, 34, and severely injuring the driver of the other vehicle.

During the sentencing hearing, the Terrell family tearfully spoke of what a wonderful mother Aries was to her four children, who, at the time of her death, ranged in age from six to 16. They described Aries as a remarkable person who loved her family and treated everyone with love, respect, and kindness. The driver of the other vehicle shared her long, slow road to recovery and how she spent 18 months healing from the numerous injuries she received in the crash, and although better, she will never be 100%. Both families shared how every time they drive through the intersection of the accident, they relive this nightmare all over again. Their lives will never be the same due to Gregory’s actions that day, so they asked the judge to hold him accountable and impose the longest sentence possible.

Gregory is currently serving another 10-year sentence for an unrelated Aggravated Battery case. Assistant State’s Attorney Brenda McCavitt argued it would be an insult to these families to allow Gregory to serve this sentence at the same time as that one, as they deserve their own justice. The court agreed, and Gregory will serve this sentence after the other.
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LIVE-IN CARETAKER CONVICTED OF MURDERING 75-YEAR-OLD

June 5, 2024, Peoria, IL – Today, Dmitri G. Rogatchev, 46, was found guilty of First Degree Murder for killing Sandra Jackson, 75, in her own home in December 2019. Rogatchev was Sandra’s live-in caretaker, and on the night of the murder, Rogatchev became frustrated with Sandra because she had the television on too loud. While arguing over the noise, Rogatchev became enraged and hit and kicked Sandra, ultimately causing a fatal brain injury.

Around 2:30 am on December 3, 2019, a 911 call was made for an unconscious female in her apartment in the 500 block of NE Monroe. When first responders arrived at the apartment, Rogatchev told them Sandra had drunk wine with her prescription medication earlier that night and had fallen asleep. That statement was refuted during the trial by testimony from Sandra’s emergency room physician and the forensic pathologist. Both testified that there was not a drop of alcohol found in Sandra’s blood and that her brain injuries could not have happened from a fall.

The autopsy revealed Sandra suffered two injuries, one on the left side of her head and another on the right side. These two injuries led to a massive amount of bleeding and pressure on her brain. She eventually died from these injuries.

The case is set for sentencing on July 15.
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Thank you to everyone who participated in last night’s Town Hall discussion. Pictured from left to right are Peoria City Councilman Mike Vespa, Senator Dave Koehler, State's Attorney Jodi Hoos, Peoria City Councilwoman Dr. Bernice Gordon-Young, Co-Founder of Speak Out Illinois LLC Jake Partee, and Peoria Public Schools District 150 Dr. Michelle Hassan. We also received excellent feedback from community leaders from the Peoria Housing Authority, Dream Center Peoria, and the Department of Youth & Family Services.

We hope to see you at tonight's town hall. Thank you, Speak Out Illinois LLC, for organizing this event!

Don't forget about Our Town Hall Meeting, TOMORROW, Monday June 3rd, 2024 from 6-7:30PM at Peoria Public Library's North Branch in the McKenzie room.

This meeting is expected to last 1 hour with a 30-minute social afterwards.

This meeting is Free and Open to the Public. No violence shall be permitted. Peoria Public Library reserves the right to remove or bar a person from Library property and or contact Law Enforcement for Trespass. Speak Out Illinois LLC supports Peoria Public Library in pressing charges to the fullest extent under Illinois Law. Speak Out Illinois LLC reserves the right to remove an Individual from the meeting at any time with or without notice.