Peoria County
Recent News About Peoria County
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Natural life sentence given to Gary Irby for role in Peoria murder
August 2, 2024, Peoria, IL – In a sentencing hearing today, Gary Irby, 22, received a sentence of natural life in prison for his part in the murder of Jerry Snipes Jr., 17, in October 2021. During the jury trial earlier this year, prosecutors presented evidence that Snipes was shot ten times, with most of those shots fired into the back of his body. Of those ten shots, nine came from a handgun and one from a shotgun, indicating two different people shot him.
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Father sentenced to 70 years for murdering two-year-old daughter
August 2, 2024, Peoria, IL – Shamari R. Williams, 27, was sentenced to 70 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections for the murder of his two-year-old daughter, Emorri Green. The incident occurred in early 2022.
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16-year-old charged for shooting at post-prom party in Chillicothe
Last week, Amari Smith-Holley, 16, was charged with Aggravated Battery with a Firearm for a shooting where an 18-year-old male was shot at a post-prom party in Chillicothe this past April. Due to Smith-Holley’s age and the charge, it is an automatic transfer to adult court. Today, a detention hearing was held, and the State’s Petition to Detain was granted, meaning he will remain in custody at the Juvenile Detention Center until trial.
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Second person charged for April murder in East Bluff
July 29, 2024, Peoria, IL – Last week, Korion Hopkins, 18, was charged with First Degree Murder for the shooting and killing of MikeQuese Taylor, 18, in the East Bluff on April 30. A detention hearing was held today, and the State’s Petition to Detain was granted. Hopkins has been in custody on a separate case since last month and will remain in custody until trial on both cases.
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Central Illinois Emergency Expo offers new sensory sensitivity hour for attendees
The public is invited to join local first responder agencies at the Central Illinois Emergency Expo on Thursday, July 25, at The Shoppes at Grand Prairie from 4-7 p.m. Numerous local emergency response agencies and offices will display their vehicles and equipment in the parking lot between Dick’s Sporting Goods and IL Route 91 during the touch-a-truck event. Families are invited to explore vehicles, talk with professional first responders, and try on gear during this free community event.
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Peoria recovers from storm-induced phone outages and debris
The City of Peoria experienced significant disruptions following severe storms, resulting in phone issues with non-emergency numbers and the 9-1-1 center. The disruptions affected the City of Peoria Police Department's non-emergency number (309-673-4521) and the City of Peoria Fire Department's non-emergency number (309-674-3131).
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Man charged with animal cruelty after keeping dog in hot car
Hunter Melsha, 27, was charged with animal cruelty after keeping his dog in a vehicle where the inside temperature reached 150 degrees.
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Peoria man sentenced to 52 years for fatal shooting at family BBQ
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.
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Live-in caretaker sentenced to 60 years for murder of elderly woman
July 15, 2024, Peoria, IL – Dmitri G. Rogatchev, 46, was sentenced to 60 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections by Judge John Vespa for the murder of Sandra Jackson, 75. The incident occurred in December 2019 at Jackson's home.
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Man detained on aggravated domestic battery charge after alleged assault
July 12, 2024, Peoria, IL – On June 27, Kenneth W. Moultrie, 28, was charged with aggravated domestic battery for allegedly beating his ex-girlfriend so severely that her jaw had to be wired shut. A warrant was issued for his arrest at that time. 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.
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Man charged for shooting ex-girlfriend in Peoria
July 12, 2024, Peoria, IL – Deandre T. Ward, 23, was charged with Aggravated Battery with a Firearm for shooting his ex-girlfriend in the back on 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.
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Peoria County warns residents of phishing scam targeting voters
The Peoria County Election Commission has issued a warning to residents about a reported text message phishing scam that urges recipients to click on a false link to register to vote by mail this election season.
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Charges filed in Peoria dog mauling incident
Felony charges were filed today against Robert L. Cady, 45, and Gabrelle L. Jones, 23, following a dog attack that injured a couple last week on Moss Avenue near Bradley University.
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Defendant sentenced to 15 years for fatal shooting incident in Peoria
June 27, 2024, Peoria, IL – Demetrius D. Drummond, 35, was sentenced to 15 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections following his conviction in April for Unlawful Possession of a Weapon by a Felon and Reckless Discharge of a Firearm. The incident occurred just before 1 am on October 28, 2023, when Drummond was at a party in the 200 block of East Thrush Avenue in the East Bluff. After an argument with another attendee, Drummond fired his gun into the air, causing panic among those present. During the ensuing chaos, 24-year-old Kobe Johnson was struck and killed by a car.
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Peoria County facilities to close for Independence Day
The Peoria County Courthouse, Veterans Assistance Commission, Election Commission, Animal Protection Services (PCAPS), Highway Department offices, and Peoria City/County Health Department offices will be closed for Independence Day on Thursday, July 4, 2024. These facilities will reopen on Friday, July 5.
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Scammers pose as Peoria County Jury Commission officials
There have been reports of individuals posing as representatives of the Peoria County Jury Commission in an attempt to collect a fine in lieu of arrest for failing to report for jury duty.
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Teen found with multiple firearms charged; detained until trial
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 firearms 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.
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Man found guilty in hit-and-run incident causing severe injury
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 incident 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 and bleeding heavily from his right ear. The victim received a traumatic brain injury from the accident and now has a permanent disability.
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Two teens charged in recent Peoria shootings
Today, the Peoria County State’s Attorney's office charged two teenagers in connection with recent shootings in central Peoria. Christopher Polnitz Cleary, 19, faces 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, has been 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.
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Live-in caretaker convicted of murdering elderly woman
June 5, 2024, Peoria, IL – Dmitri G. Rogatchev, 46, was found guilty of first-degree murder today for the killing of Sandra Jackson, 75, in December 2019. Rogatchev served as Jackson's live-in caretaker and became frustrated with her on the night of the incident due to the volume of her television. During an argument over the noise level, Rogatchev struck and kicked Jackson, resulting in a fatal brain injury.