Latest News 2014 July Man Pleads Guilty to One Count; Four Other Counts & Charges Dropped

Man Pleads Guilty to One Count; Four Other Counts & Charges Dropped

The Telegraph has reported that a man has agreed to plead guilty to DUI death while several other counts and charges against him have been dropped; he may serve up to 14 years in prison.

J.F., 26, admitted to killing M.B., 73, on January 13, 2013, when he drove into M.B.'s home in Godfrey. In exchange for his guilty plea, four other counts were dropped. Another 10 charges, involving felony theft and heroin possession in a separate incident, were also dropped.

Had the case gone to trial, according to Assistant State's Attorney John Fischer, there was evidence that would have shown J.F.'s blood alcohol content to be almost 0.12 percent. The original indictment, before charges were dropped in the plea agreement, show that J.F. was under the influence of cocaine, marijuana, and alprazolam. Alprazolam is a prescription drug also known as Xanax and used to treat anxiety disorders.

On the night of the accident, J.F. allegedly took car keys from a member of his family at his home and fled away in a GMC Yukon. He sped a few blocks, lost control, and then crashed into M.B.'s home. The home was demolished and M.B., trapped under the wreckage, died at the scene. J.F. fled on foot and was apprehended by deputies from the Madison County Sheriff's Department in the parking lot of a bar in Godfrey.

In the original disturbance, J.F. was charged with domestic battery, two misdemeanor counts. He allegedly battered two of his family members before taking their car keys by force. He received traffic citations in the incident, including failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident.

Circuit Judge James Hackett said there would be a near six-week period between the pre-sentencing investigation and the sentencing. J.F. has been held in the Madison County Jail on $150,000 bail and will continue to be held until the sentencing hearing.

Between March and June of 2012, J.F. allegedly stole air conditioners from homes and businesses in Godfrey. He was facing trial for 10 felony counts at the time of the deadly crash. According to authorities, J.F. admitted to stealing and selling the air conditioners to pay for heroin.

J.F.'s criminal record began in 2005. At that time he was convicted of giving or selling liquor to a minor. Other misdemeanor convictions over the years include possession of liquor by a minor, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and driving under the influence of alcohol. Also at the time of the fatality, J.F. had a pending charge against him for driving while his license was revoked.

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