FELONIES

Trey W. Fenton, 34 of Mount Olive, is charged with residential burglary, burglary without causing damage, and criminal damage to property (<$500) in connection with a November 3 incident.

Peyton R. Pehrson, 26 of Benld, is charged with two counts of aggravated DUI/license suspended or revoked, DUI/BAC 0.08, DUI, driving on a suspended license, driving 21-25 mph above the limit, expired registration, disregarding a stop sign, and operating an uninsured motor vehicle in connection with a November 6 incident.

MISDEMEANORS

John M. Molinar, 40 of Staunton, is charged with criminal trespass to residence in connection with a November 2 incident.

TRAFFIC

Robert M. Keffer, 38 of Benld, is charged with driving on a suspended license in connection with an October 25 incident.

Haidyn D. Branson, 25 of Hettick, is charged with driving on a suspended license in connection with an October 25 incident.

Asa M. Proctor, 47 of Gillespie, is charged with driving on a suspended license in connection with an October 28 incident.

Rodjai A. Johnson, 21 of Gillespie, is charged with driving on a suspended license and operating an uninsured motor vehicle in connection with an October 27 incident.

Amber L. Burgess, 45 of Staunton, is charged with driving on a suspended license in connection with an October 23 incident.

Shane C. Chance, 29 of Carlinville, is charged with driving on a suspended license in connection with an October 28 incident.

Jerry J. Wilson, 77 of Carlinville, is charged with canceled/revoked/suspended registration in connection with an October 30 incident.

Shannon J. Ward, 44 of Modesto, is charged with improper use of registration/title, operating an uninsured motor vehicle, and being unlicensed in connection with an October 28 incident.

Blake D. Roberts, 28 of Carlinville, is charged with driving on a revoked license, unlawful use of cannabis/driver, and display plate attachment in connection with an October 30 incident.

Shota Gagelidze, 44 of Downers Grover, is charged with speeding 26-34 mph over the limit in connection with a November 1 incident.

Christopher P. Smith, 39 of Chesterfield, MO, is charged with driving on a revoked license, operating an uninsured motor vehicle, and no valid registration in connection with an October 26 incident.

Chad C. Baumann, 54 of Chicago, is charged with driving on a suspended license and operating an uninsured motor vehicle in connection with an October 27 incident.

David A. Rithe, 44 of Benld, is charged with driving on a suspended license, driver failing to give notice of a crash, operating an uninsured motor vehicle, and failure to reduce speed in connection with an October 29 incident.

Donald E. Bruhn, 66 of Gillespie, is charged with driving on a revoked license in connection with an October 29 incident.

DISSOLUTION OF MARRIAGE FILED

• Rocky Lyle Smith versus Rebecca Lee Smith

MARRIAGE LICENSES

• Tyler Luke Semplowski of Peoria and Margaret Anne Moore of Gillespie
• Craig Charles Wicker and Cheryl A. Scroggins, both of Staunton
• Jacob William Feeley and Kaitlin Marie Moore, both of Plainview
• Peyton Scott Hudspeth and Macy Danielle Rhodes, both of Divernon
• Cody Stephen Bradley and Savannah Michelle Norris, both of Auburn

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.

FELONIES

Austen W. Nieder, 31 of Gillespie, is charged with aggravated battery in a public place in connection with an October 20 incident.

Nathan A. Baker, 47 of Hettick, is charged with obstructing justice/destroying evidence, driving under the influence of alcohol, and illegal stopping/standing/parking in connection with an April 13 incident.

Teresa K. Tucker, 83 of Benld, is charged with aggravated battery/use of a deadly weapon and domestic battery causing bodily harm in connection with an October 26 incident.

Janet L. Andrews, 44 of Gillespie, is charged with possession of a controlled substance, DUI any amount of drug, driving under the influence of alcohol, failure to reduce speed, carrying/displaying license, and transporting/carrying alcohol/driver in connection with an October 31 incident.

MISDEMEANORS

Jamie M. Griffiths, 53 of Palmyra, is charged with violation of an order after being served a notice in connection with an October 24 incident.

TRAFFIC

Aiden A. Knodel, 18 of Mount Olive, is charged with speeding 26-34 mph over the limit in connection with an October 17 incident.

Matthew T. Troeckler, 38 of Mount Olive, is charged with driving on a revoked license in connection with an October 18 incident.

James C. Fitzwater, 54 of Mount Olive, is charged with driving on a revoked license and disregarding a stop sign in connection with an October 18 incident.

John E. Tisdale, 43 of Modesto, is charged with headlight violation and operating an uninsured motor vehicle in connection with an October 27 incident.

DISSOLUTION OF MARRIAGE FILED

• Jacquelyn Simons versus Jason Simons
• Ashline L. M. Harris versus Jeffrey Harris
• Jennifer L. Parker versus Darrin C. Parker
• Heather R. Elliot versus Ray K. Elliot III

MARRIAGE LICENSES

• Jesse Clay Wright and Rebecca Lyn Mouser, both of Gillespie
• Colin David Robertson and Earl Reah Pastidio Sacabin, both of Staunton
• Gary Eugene Bellm and Micky Sue Cody, both of Virden
• Michael David Pratt and Bailey Ann Schmidt, both of Staunton