Community News
Judge Kenneth Deihl explain Drug Court in Macoupin County
Saves taxpayers $3.36 for each dollar invested
During a regular luncheon meeting, presiding Judge Kenneth Deihl explained the newly formed drug court in Macoupin County. With him was probation officer Dave Wicker who is the manager of the newly formed program. The pair explained that the they were mandated to start this program by January of 2012.
Deihl started off saying the court is seeing many family issues that affect the court in many ways. “Thankfully, we don’t have that much crime,” Deihl started. “We were averaging 65-70 people in the jail five years ago and now we are around 30.” This is a big savings for the taxpayers.
According to Deihl, their goal is to have occupants in the jail as long as they have to and no longer. “We want to place them on probation or send them to the Department of Corrections,” Deihl explained. Probation is much more difficult than serving a sentence because the rigid standards make it really tough to live. Deihl even said that he has had requests from people to serve time in jail over being placed on probation.
In addition to the family issues, the court had many collection issues for a while during the home mortgage crisis. “A lot of this pertains to the poor economy,” Deihl noted, “Sociologists will tell you than 20% of society is affected by crime. Those records go way back to the 1600’s overseas. The economy spikes crime.” Not so much crime, but domestic household problems and people just giving up and walking away from their families.
Recently, counties were required by law to start a drug court. “The State of Illinois mandated all counties to have a drug court by January 1,” Deihl explained. “We are in compliance and we can tell you that we only have one person in the program right now.”
Some people would think drug court is an easy way out for people that have used or abused or sold drugs, according to Deihl. He went on to say that is not the case at all. “It is a program for rehabilitation, but you have to meet a very strict set of criteria to have a chance to be in the program.”
David Wicker, probation officer and drug court manager, explained what drug court is and what drug court is not. Wicker has been with the probation office for over eleven years and has honchoed this program voluntarily for Macoupin County. “I volunteered for this program because I believe in it,” Dave started, “I know it can work if you have a chance to review the statistics.”
Compared to probation or time in the Department of Corrections, it has a significant better success rate. Drug Court is used in two different types. The first type is victims present themselves in drug court to prevent having a felony conviction charge on their record. The second type is a post-conviction drug court. Predominately used in Macoupin County, victims are enrolled in the second type of drug court after they are already convicted of the crime.
Basically, drug court is a last case scenario for clients. “These clients have committed several crimes throughout their life and have even been to Department of Corrections or are looking at going there,” Dave explained. At that time, this program could be offered to them.
The person first has to admit they have a drug problem to be admitted to drug court. “Without that, there is no use.” Their crime has to be related to drug use such as burglary or theft to get money for drugs. Violent crime history victims will not be admitted into the program as they have to demonstrate a willingness to abide by all the rules of the program.
Dave went on to explain that they, of course, have to a resident of Macoupin County and cannot have participated in drug court in any other jurisdiction. “It is a one-time chance,” Dave noted. The States Attorney also has to give the approval for the client to be in the program. Once the Attorney has approved the client, the probation office gets the referral and they engage in a screening.
The screening checks their background and makes sure they have not had any violent background. After the screening, an evaluation is conducted by TASK out of Springfield. Once all that is completed, they will come before the drug court team. Macoupin County’s drug court team consists of Judge Deihl, Dave Wicker, States Attorney representative, Public Defender representative, substance abuse representative, TASK representative, law enforcement official, and a concerned public citizen.
“Any decisions made for drug court are made by this one team while the judge has the final say,” Dave explained. Once the person is qualified and admitted, the victim goes into a plea and follows strict guidelines to stay in the program. According to Dave, it is much stricter than probation.
Once the client gets out of rehab, they have to see Dave at least once a week. Usually it is up to three times a week because they are required to take drug tests twice a week. The client also goes to any support groups the team feels necessary to give. “They also have to attend court any time we direct them to,” Dave noted.
The Drug Court can apply any sanctions or incentives at any time in the program. Incentives could be awarded if they are doing everything they are asked to do. “Incentives could be anything from a candy bar or a praise to a gas card,” Dave explained. If the client is partaking in any action the drug court does not see fit, they can apply sanctions. According to Dave, sanctions can be extra drug testing or more probation visits to a week in jail.
The clients start out in the intensive program and phase out. It is designed to get easier and easier as they move through the program. It contains four different phases. Once they graduate a phase, the restrictions get easier as they might not have to report as many times per week or take less drug tests. They have to pass a drug test to graduate the program, according to Dave. The program usually lasts nearly 18 months to 24 months.
“Our goal is to enhance the quality of life in Macoupin County,” Dave closed, “by helping reduce criminal activity through certain individuals with drug issues.” Not only does the drug court help the people with a problem, it also helps society because it is so cost effective. According to the National Drug Court Association, tax payers save as much as $3.36 for every dollar invested in drug court and avoid court, criminal justice costs, and prison. “It is cost effective, plus it works!”
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In a decisive finish that underscored his rising dominance in Illinois Class 1A cross country, senior Chaz Oberkfell of Gillespie High School claimed the state title with a time of 14:31.10 at the IHSA State Cross Country Championships held at Detweiller Park on Saturday, November 8.
Finishing just behind Oberkfell, sophomore Evan Knobloch of Toulon (Stark County) crossed the line in 14:46.25, placing second. Rounding out the top five were senior Blake McLeese of Tuscola (14:46.45), senior Luca Bryja of Elgin (Harvest Christian Academy) with 14:48.38, and senior Elijah Teefey of Pleasant Plains at 14:49.02.
This victory marks Oberkfell’s second IHSA Class 1A state championship. He also won the state crown as a junior in 2024 with a time of 14:31.87. In his sophomore year, he finished 21st with a 15:21.43 season-best time.
Looking ahead, Oberkfell is set to compete in the New Balance NXR Midwest Regional Championships on Sunday, November 16, at the LaVerne Gibson Course in Indiana. The meet serves as a critical stepping stone toward the national championships, and Oberkfell will look to carry his state momentum into the regional stage.
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The community is invited to participate in a family-friendly, drive-thru charity event aimed at keeping local students warm this winter. The “Warm Up Our Kids” drive-thru takes place on Tuesday, December 2, 2025, from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Karmak Campus, located at 1 Karmak Plaza, Carlinville, IL and is sponsored by Karmak and Carlinville Area Hospital and Clinics.
Additional drop-off boxes will be available at the following locations to maximize participation and convenience:
- Sullivans in Carlinville, Gillespie, and Litchfield
- Pharmacy Plus in Girard
- Sav-Mor Pharmacy in Virden
- CAH&C Clinic sites in Gillespie, Girard, Carlinville, and Virden
- Briar Rose in Litchfield
- Brave Hazel in Carlinville
- Oh-So Cute Boutique in Virden
Drive through the event route and drop off much-needed supplies listed below. All donations will directly benefit students in the participating school districts, helping ensure every child has the warmth and essentials they need to face the winter season. Community support help bridge gaps and bring tangible, immediate relief to families in need.
Join us in spreading warmth and goodwill this December. The Ben Gil Post and community partners look forward to seeing you at the Karmak Campus drive-thru.
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A Macoupin County jury found Jeffrey D. Brown, 50, of Sawyerville guilty of aggravated battery with a firearm in connection with the shooting death of Rodney Messerly, 42, also of Sawyerville, authorities said.
The verdict was delivered a little before 6 p.m. on November 4, 2025, after a days-long trial led by Macoupin County State’s Attorney Jordan J. Garrison. Brown now faces a mandatory prison sentence ranging from six to 30 years with the sentence to be served at 85 percent. The sentencing will take place on January 12, 2025.
According to testimony and evidence presented at trial, the incident unfolded on September 17, 2024, when Brown called 911 claiming Messerly had entered his home. Responding deputies found Messerly deceased on the front stoop outside the residence. Brown testified that Messerly had forced his way into the home, and he fired in self-defense inside the residence.
Surveillance video played to the jury depicted portions of the confrontation: Messerly speaking with Brown at the door outside the residence before Messerly pushes inside—off-camera for a stretch—followed by four gunshots fired from within the home. Messerly is seen falling back onto the front steps.
A video interview of Brown with Lt. Ryan Dixon of the Macoupin County Sheriff’s Department revealed Brown stated he took three steps back inside the residence before firing the initial shots. Forensic pathologist Dr. Nathanial Patterson testified that the first four shots would have been fatal. Approximately seven seconds pass before Brown fires a final shot from inside the residence, striking Messerly in the chest as he yells an expletive.
Garrison offered condolences to Messerly’s family, calling the incident a “horrible situation” and noting that the healing process is just beginning for those affected. He described Messerly as having been experiencing delusions at the time of the incident and emphasized that the last shot was not in self-defense, characterizing it as an act of vengeance.
Brown faces additional charges in unrelated matters: Armed Violence (Class X felony) and Production of Cannabis Plants (Class 4) in 2024CF228, and Resisting Arrest Causing Injury to an Officer in 2024CF252.
Public sentencing is scheduled for January 12, 2025. Prosecutors cautioned readers that charges are not proof of guilt and that Brown is presumed innocent until proven otherwise in a court of law.
