Grundy County State’s Attorney’s Office

Grundy County State’s Attorney’s Office The Grundy County State’s Attorney’s Office prosecutes violations of Illinois criminal law and represents county officials in civil court.

01/01/2020

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12/25/2019

Merry Christmas

JOLIET WOMAN WHO HAD BAC ABOVE .30 SENTENCED FOR 3RD DUI ARRESTA Joliet woman has been sentenced for her third drunken-d...
12/09/2019

JOLIET WOMAN WHO HAD BAC ABOVE .30 SENTENCED FOR 3RD DUI ARREST

A Joliet woman has been sentenced for her third drunken-driving offense that involved a single-vehicle rollover crash on Interstate 55 in fall 2018.
Grundy County Judge Lance R. Peterson has sentenced 32-year-old Jacqueline R. Urias to 4 years of probation and 180 days in the Grundy County jail.
Urias on Dec. 4, 2019, pleaded guilty to the offense of aggravated DUI, Class 2 felony.
Early the morning of Aug. 13, 2018, Urias was driving a tan Buick Rendezvous south on Interstate 55 when it ran off the road into the median near Dwight and rolled over. At the time, Urias’ license was revoked for two prior DUI offenses. In addition, Urias was wanted on two Cook County warrants for failing to appear in court. Urias’ blood-alcohol concentration, measured at a Joliet hospital more than 3 hours after the crash, was more than .30.
In addition to the probation sentence, Urias must undergo a drug and alcohol evaluation and follow all recommendations, refrain from consuming alcoholic beverages, and submit to drug and alcohol testing upon request.
Grundy County State’s Attorney Jason Helland said:
“Ms. Urias is fortunate that this didn’t turn out much worse for her given the high level of her BAC at the time of her crash. She could have been sentenced to prison, which we recommended to the judge. She could have died or she could have injured or killed someone else. Given all of the facts, I hope she understands her good fortune and takes steps to address her excessive drinking. My thanks to the Illinois State Police for their work on this case.”

Jacqueline R. Urias: Age 32 (d.o.b. 12-17-1986), of the 2200 block of Urias Avenue, Joliet, Illinois. Case No. 19CF89.

Matthew Clower
12/08/2019

Matthew Clower

12/08/2019

MAN GETS 5-YEAR PRISON SENTENCE FOR FAILING TO REGISTER AS S*X OFFENDER

A homeless Morris man has pleaded guilty for failing to register as a s*xual offender as required by Illinois law.
39-year-old Matthew S. Clower on Dec. 4, 2019, agreed to a sentence of 5 years of imprisonment in the Illinois Department of Corrections in exchange for a guilty plea to the offense of failure to register as a s*xual offender, Class 2 felony.
Grundy County Judge Lance R. Peterson accepted the plea.
Between Oct. 10 and Oct. 24, 2019, Clower, a s*x offender who is homeless, and who has been convicted of the offense of violation of the S*x Offender Registration Act five times previously, failed to register with the chief of police of Morris, Illinois, within 7 days as required of a person in Illinois who lacks a fixed residence.
Clower’s prior offenses occurred in 1999, 2003, 2008 and twice in 2015. He has twice been sentenced to IDOC for the offense.
According to Illinois law, Clower is eligible for day-for-day sentencing. He receives credit for 35 days served in the Grundy County jail.
Grundy County State’s Attorney Jason Helland said:
“Illinois’ s*x offender registration laws are in place to protect the public. My office has a responsibility to the community to ensure that these laws are enforced. My thanks to the Morris Police Department and to Grundy County Assistant State’s Attorney Michael Quinlan for their work on this case.”
Matthew S. Clower: Age 39 (d.o.b. 11-4-1980), homeless, of Morris, Illinois. Case No. 19CF229.

11/30/2019

CHICAGO MAN WITH LONG CRIMINAL HISTORY GETS PRISON FOR STEALING FROM DWIGHT TRUCK STOP

A Chicago man with a lengthy history of drug and other offenses has been sent to prison for stealing merchandise from the Love’s Travel Stop in Dwight last Christmas Day.
55-year-old Andre B. Boulden agreed to a sentence of 2 years of imprisonment in the Illinois Department of Corrections in exchange for a guilty plea to the offense of retail theft, Class 4 felony.
Grundy County Judge Robert C. Marsaglia accepted the plea.
On Dec. 25, 2018, Boulden entered the Love’s Travel Stop at Interstate 55 and Illinois Route 47 and placed several pieces of merchandise that were for sale into a bag and left the store without paying. A store employee saw Boulden steal the items and called police. Boulden returned to the store without the bag. Dwight police arrived and placed him under arrest. The total value of the items Boulden stole was less than $300.
Boulden was eligible for enhanced sentencing because of his extensive criminal history, which includes multiple drug and theft offenses in Cook County dating to 1984.
According to Illinois law, Boulden is eligible for day-for-day sentencing. He receives credit for 78 days served in the Grundy County jail.
Grundy County State’s Attorney Jason Helland said:
“Mr. Boulden was caught thanks to the quick action of the store employee who witnessed his criminal activity, and the Dwight police officers who were willingly serving their community on Christmas Day instead of celebrating with the families at home. My thanks to all who helped out in this prosecution.”
Andre B. Boulden: Age 55 (d.o.b. 12-4-1964), of the 7200 block of South Richmond Street, Chicago, Illinois. Case No. 18CF214.

11/28/2019

MORRIS WOMAN SENT TO PRISON FOR HE**IN POSSESSION

A Morris woman has been sent to prison for being in possession of he**in.
34-year-old Sylyna L. Ficarella agreed to a sentence of 2 years of imprisonment in the Illinois Department of Corrections in exchange for or a guilty plea to the offense of unlawful possession of a controlled substance, Class 4 felony.
Grundy County Judge Robert C. Marsaglia accepted the plea.
At about 3 p.m. April 1, 2017, a Morris police officer stopped a vehicle for a traffic offense in the vicinity of U.S. Route 6 and Ashley Road. Ficarella was riding in the front passenger seat. The officer recognized Ficarella as a known he**in user and noted evidence of the presence of illegal narcotics. When he asked Ficarella about it, she admitted that she had recently purchased he**in and ingested it.
According to Illinois law, Ficarella is eligible for day-for-day sentencing. She received credit for 199 days served in the Grundy County jail.
Grundy County State’s Attorney Jason Helland said:
“As communities across the country continue to grapple with deadly opioid addiction, public safety officials have an obligation to send the message about the dangers of opioid use, and do all we can to help users get into treatment to end their addiction. I hope Ms. Ficarella will see this as an opportunity to get clean, and I wish her well in her attempts.”
Sylyna L. Ficarella: Age 34 (d.o.b. 6-5-1985), of Morris, Illinois. Case No. 17CF76.

FORMER COAL CITY WOMAN PLEADS GUILTY, TO PAY FULL RESTITUTION FOR STEALING FROM YOUTH FOOTBALL GROUPA former Coal City w...
11/28/2019

FORMER COAL CITY WOMAN PLEADS GUILTY, TO PAY FULL RESTITUTION FOR STEALING FROM YOUTH FOOTBALL GROUP

A former Coal City woman has pleaded guilty for stealing more than $18,000 from a youth football organization.
37-year-old Bridget M. Hodina on Nov. 25, 2019, agreed to serve a period of 4 years of probation, 180 days in jail and full repayment of stolen money in exchange for a deferred judgment of guilty to the offense of theft, Class 2 felony.
Grundy County Judge Robert C. Marsaglia agreed to terms.
According to Grundy County prosecutors, between December 2017 and July 2018, Hodina stole $18,144.91 from Coal City Miners Football. Hodina served at the organization’s treasurer during the period.
The agreement terms include:
Hodina shall repay the stolen money in full, with $5,943 bond money being applied to the restitution amount and the balance of $12,201.91 to be paid in monthly installments of $338.94 over 36 months starting Jan. 1, 2020
Hodina shall not possess any firearm
Hodina shall not possess or use any controlled substance or ma*****na
Hodina shall undergo a drug and alcohol evaluation and comply with all recommendations
The jail sentence and the judgment of guilty will be stayed if Hodina successfully completes all terms of the agreement
Grundy County State’s Attorney Jason Helland said:
“Coal City is a small town. People know one another, which means criminal activity like Ms. Hodina’s theft scheme will be noticed. My thanks to those who reported it, and to the Coal City Police Department for their work in this case. Their thorough investigation means the Miners football program will be made whole.”
Bridget C. Hodina: Age 37 (d.o.b. 12-15-1981), of the 1800 block of Southeast Sixth Lane, Cape Coral, Fla., and formerly of the 800 block of Quail Run, Coal City, Illinois. Case No. 18CF198.

11/27/2019

WHEELING MAN PLEADS GUILTY FOR LYING TO GRUNDY COUNTY DEPUTY

A Wheeling man has pleaded guilty for lying to law enforcement about his identity after several motorists witnessed him walking along Route 6 wearing only his underwear.
23-year-old George M. Martinez agreed to a sentence of 2 years of probation in exchange for a guilty plea to the offense of obstructing justice, Class 4 felony.
Grundy County Judge Robert C. Marsaglia accepted the plea.
At about 5 p.m. August 16, 2019, multiple motorists reported a man wearing only his underwear and carrying on object that appeared to be a knife or a gun walking along U.S. Route 6 in the area of Brisbin Road.
A Grundy County Sheriff’s deputy responded and noted that the man was indeed wearing nothing but underwear, with his legs covered with mud from nearly his knees down with cuts and scrapes all over his body and bruising around his hips. The man has a strong odor of alcohol on his breath and and an unsteady gait.
When asked to provide his name, the man gave a false name and false birthdate. The Illinois State Police arrived and eventually identified the man as George M. Martinez, the owner of a vehicle that had crashed earlier in the day on Interstate 80 at Brisbin Road.
In addition to the probationary term, Martinez shall report for periodic drug testing, undergo a a drug and alcohol evaluation and follow all recommendations, obtain a high school diploma or equivalent or complete a vocational training program, and gain or attempt to gain employment. In addition he is not allowed to possess any guns or other dangerous weapons.
Grundy County Assistant State’s Attorney Peter D. Siena prosecuted the case.
Grundy County State’s Attorney Jason Helland said:
“Mr. Martinez is fortunate that he or someone else wasn’t seriously injured as a result of his actions that day. He has an opportunity now to help himself, and I hope he takes advantage of this opportunity.”
George M. Martinez: Age 23 (d.o.b. 11-26-1996), of the 500 block of West Green Drive, Wheeling, Illinois. Case No. 19CF190.

11/26/2019

CHANNAHON MAN GETS PRISON FOR CO***NE
A Channahon man has been sent to prison for co***ne possession.
43-year-old Raymond Smith has agreed to a sentence of 1 year of imprisonment in the Illinois Department of Corrections in exchange for a guilty plea to the offense of unlawful possession of a controlled substance,a Class 4 felony.
Grundy County Judge Robert C. Marsaglia accepted the plea.
Grundy County Assistant State’s Attorney stated during the plea hearing that at about 2:30 a.m. June 16, 2017, a Morris police officer, knowing that Smith’s driver’s license had been revoked, saw Smith driving his Harley-Davidson motorcycle along Fulton Street. The officer followed, and after Smith turned onto Lisbon Road, pulled him over. The officer found $1,130 in cash, a scale and and a bag containing 3.2 grams of co***ne. Smith admitted to the officer that the co***ne was his property.
In addition, Smith must pay $977 in court fees and fines.
Grundy County State’s Attorney Jason Helland said:
“Ray Smith has a criminal history that includes convictions for gun offenses and DUI. When he was stopped before his arrest he didn’t have a license to drive his motorcycle. In a small community like Morris, he can’t do much without people taking notice. I hope he learns his lesson and puts an end to his criminal conduct.”
Raymond P. Smith: Age 43 (9-18-1976), of the 250 block of South Center Street, Channahon, Illinois. Case No. 17CF140.

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Morris, IL

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