The following incidents were obtained from Franklin County Sheriff Don Jones. Note that arrests, charges and citations are allegations only, not findings of guilt.
Aug. 20
• Deputies responded at 4:55 a.m. to a reported disturbance at the Masonic and Oddfellows Cemetery just south of Benton. The investigation resulted in the arrests of Joshua P. Lefler, 33, of Coello on charges of battery and solicitation of a sexual act and Christian D. Briley, 36, of Benton on charges of battery and prostitution.
• Deputies responded at 12:37 p.m. to a domestic dispute in Mulkeytown. The investigation resulted in the arrest of Virginia B. Hahs, 45, of Herrin on two charges of domestic battery and one charge of endangering the life and health of a child.
Aug. 21
• Deputies responded at 10:08 a.m. to a two-vehicle traffic crash on Rt. 37 north of Benton. A 2014 Jeep driven by John D. Beckman, 26, of Mt. Vernon was north bound and rearended a northbound 2009 Hyundai driven by Darrell Vandergrift, 82, of Fairmont, W.V. Beckman received minor injuries and was cited for failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident.
• Deputies responded at 2:52 p.m. to a two-vehicle traffic crash on Rt. 37 at Missouri Road. A 2007 Hyundai driven by Kaleigh D. Ramsey, 22, of West Frankfort was southbound on Rt. 37 when a 2015 Chrysler driven by William E. Garrison, 88, of West Frankfort turned onto Rt. 37 southbound from Missouri Road into the path of the Hyundai. Ramsey sustained minor injuries and was transported to a local hospital by West Frankfort Fire EMS. Garrison was uninjured and was cited for failure to yield right of way.
• Deputies arrested James E. Kulik, 24, of Mt. Vernon on a warrant for aggravated domestic battery.
Aug. 22
• Deputies arrested Dustin A. Pinkham, 26, of Mulkeytown on a warrant for aggravated battery and unlawful restraint.
Aug. 23
• A traffic stop in rural Benton led to the arrest of John P. Farris, 33, of Benton on charges of retail theft and possession of methamphetamine and Alisa M. McPherson, 31, of Benton on charges of possession of methamphetamine and possession of a controlled substance.
• Deputies responded at 3:04 p.m. to a single-vehicle crash on Baseline Road in rural Thompsonville. A 2002 Ford Taurus driven by Bailey R. Willett, 17, of Thompsonville was northbound on Baseline Road just south of Akin Blacktop. The driver lost control in the gravel and ran off the roadway into a
deep ditch. The driver received major injuries and was transported to a local hospital by Abbott EMS. Thompsonville Fire first responders also responded to the scene.
• Deputies responded at 3:25 p.m. to a domestic dispute in rural West Frankfort. The investigation resulted in the arrest of a 17-year-old male juvenile for possession of a handgun by a convicted felon, unlawful possession of cannabis and possession of drug paraphernalia. The juvenile is being held in the Franklin County Juvenile Detention Center.
• Deputies responded at 10 p.m. to a domestic dispute in rural Benton. The investigation led to the arrest of Donald A. Prusaczyk, 24, of Benton on a charge of domestic battery.
• Deputies arrested Dorothy M. Gancheff, 56, of Wood River on a failure-to-appear warrant for possession of a controlled substance.
August 24
• Deputies responded at 7:14 p.m. to a domestic dispute in Logan. The investigation resulted in the arrest of Claude N. Mocaby, 52, of Logan on charges of domestic battery and aggravated assault.
• Deputies responded at 4:20 p.m. to a traffic crash at Payne Service Center in Thompsonville on Shawneetown Road. A 2010 Peterbuilt semi driven by Kevin E. Shaw, 50, of Marion struck a building on the property. The building was used as storage for the service center. The building and contents received extensive damage. There were no injuries. The incident is still under investigation.
• Deputies responded at 7:28 p.m. to a two-vehicle traffic crash on Freeman Spur Road just south of Rt. 149. A southbound 2008 Volkswagen Passat driven by Samantha G. Hampton, 17, of Herrin rear-ended a 2009 Pontiac G6 GT driven by Santo Sciluffo Jr., 50, of Johnston City. The Pontiac was attempting to turn left into a private drive. Both drivers received minor injuries. A passenger in the Pontiac was transported to a local hospital with major injuries. Samantha Hampton was ticketed for failure to reduce speed to avoid a crash.
• Deputies arrested Roy E. Mize, 37, of West Frankfort on a warrant for possession of a controlled substance.
• Deputies arrested Donald L. Singleton, 40, of Logan on a failure-to-appear warrant for criminal trespass to property.
August 25
• Deputies arrested Joshua J. Kempf, 30, of Carterville on a warrant for battery.
• A traffic stop at 1:30 p.m. in West Frankfort resulted in the arrest of Laura Kay Oliver, 29, of West Frankfort on a charge of driving while license suspended.
• Deputies responded at 1:36 p.m. to a two-vehicle traffic crash on Rt. 37 just north of Benton. The preliminary investigation revealed that a 2010 Chevrolet Impala driven by Dustin L. Johnson, 21, of Benton was northbound and read-ended a trash truck, a 2014 Autocar driven by James M. McGee, 53, of Marion. The truck was also northbound servicing trash cans. There were no injuries, and Johnson was ticketed for failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident.
August 26
• Deputies responded at 4:28 a.m. to a domestic dispute in rural West Frankfort. The investigation resulted in the arrest of Denise M. Johnson, 33, of West Frankfort on a charge of battery.
• A traffic stop at 9:28 a.m. in rural West Frankfort resulted in the arrest of Tylena Kay Poe, 40, of West Frankfort on a charge of driving while license suspended.
• Deputies responded at 7:39 p.m. to a domestic dispute in rural Mulkeytown. The incident resulted in the arrest of Nicole K. Sanders, 34, of Mulkeytown on an outstanding arrest warrant for failure to appear on a charge of possession of a controlled substance.
• Deputies arrested Devin A. Odaniell, 24, of Royalton on a failure-to-appear warrant for a charge of possession
drug paraphernalia.
• Deputies arrested Kendra R. Marvel, 27, of Logan on a failure-to-appear warrant for a charge of retail theft.
• Deputies arrested Joy Griffith, 58 of Benton on a failure-to-appear warrant for traffic charges.
August 28
• Deputies responded at 5:25 p.m. to a two-vehicle traffic crash on Rt. 148 just south of Renfro Lake Road. The preliminary investigation revealed that a 2007 Chevrolet Silverado driven by Daniel A. Jolly, 43, of Christopher was northbound on Rt. 148 when it sideswiped a 1990 Dodge Dynasty stalled partially in the northbound lane. There were no injuries, and the driver of the Dodge, Kevin A. Stangle, 27, of Christopher was ticketed for improper parking on roadway and improper use of registration.
August 29
• Deputies responded at 1:52 a.m. to a single-vehicle crash on Rt. 149 at the intersection with Rt. 184. The preliminary investigation revealed that a 2011 GMC Terrain driven by Justin K. Howard, 32, of West Frankfort was westbound on Rt. 149 and failed to negotiate the turn, heading into a bean field. The driver received minor injuries but refused medical treatment. He was ticketed for failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident.
• Deputies responded at 1:32 p.m. to a single-vehicle crash on the south edge of Benton at Rt. 37 at Oddfellow Lane. The preliminary investigation revealed that a 2000 Chevrolet Taho driven by Chad A. Kramer, 45, of West Frankfort was northbound when Kramer suffered some type of medical episode. The driver lost control and struck several monuments after running off the road. The vehicle overturned and came to rest after striking a
building at that location. The driver received major injuries and was transported to a local hospital by Abbott EMS.
August 30
• A traffic stop at 9:57 p.m. in Benton resulted in the arrest of Amanda D. Worley, 38, of Benton on a charge of possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia.
August 31
• Deputies arrested two 15-year-old male juveniles on charges of felony theft. This is part of an ongoing investigation of a residential burglary, firearm theft, credit card theft and unlawful use of credit cards. The crimes occurred in West Frankfort and Orient. Further arrests are anticipated.
• Deputies arrested Nathan T. Ellison, 34, of Pittsburg on a failure-to-appear warrant for a charge of residential burglary.
September 1
• Deputies arrested Jordan A. Pennington, 31, of West Frankfort on a failure-to-appear warrant for a charge of unlawful use of weapons.
