HARDIN — A Georgia man is now in custody in the local area following a lengthy investigation and extradition tied to a major fraud case impacting Calhoun County, Illinois. Authorities say 57-year-old Timothy R. Whitaker of Augusta, Georgia is facing charges of theft and wire fraud involving more than $20,000. The investigation began in June of 2025 after the Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office received a complaint alleging theft and fraudulent financial activity. Corporal Nichola

PITTSFIELD — Pike County, Illinois arrest activity from April 6 through April 12 included several serious offenses, highlighted by drug charges, DUI arrests, domestic violence, and a major felony case. Authorities report that 37-year-old Cody R. Spann of Pittsfield was arrested on charges of unlawful possession of methamphetamine along with defrauding a drug screening test. Two individuals were arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol during the reporting period. L

HARDIN -- A Calhoun County investigation into an alleged child sexual assault has led to the arrest of a Godfrey man on a serious felony charge. Calhoun County Sheriff Zach Hardin announced that 38-year-old Tommy R. Thompson was arrested December 30, 2025, on a charge of Predatory Criminal Sexual Assault involving a victim under the age of 13. The investigation began December 18, 2025, after authorities received a report of an alleged assault in rural Calhoun County, Illinois

CALHOUN COUNTY — A man arrested in Calhoun County on child sex crime allegations is now in federal custody and could face deportation. Authorities have identified the defendant as Orlin Guevara-Ulloa, who was taken into custody last week on charges including indecent solicitation of a child, solicitation to meet a child, and grooming. Officials have released limited details about the case, but confirmed that the Calhoun County State’s Attorney’s Office is working alongside fe

HARDIN — A Grafton man has been arrested following an investigation into an alleged attempt to solicit a child in Calhoun County. Authorities say 37-year-old Orlin Ulloa was taken into custody on March 30 in Hardin after information was received about a potential predator traveling into the area. According to Calhoun County Sheriff Zach Hardin, a tip was received late the night prior, prompting immediate coordination with future Pike County Sheriff, Chief Deputy Zack Orr. Off

PIKE COUNTY ILLINOIS — Authorities are asking for the public’s help after a disturbing case of animal cruelty involving abandoned dogs in the Chambersburg area. Officials with the Pike County Animal Shelter say two Huskies and a Dalmatian were abandoned roughly six to eight weeks ago and had been living outdoors. Over the past month, staff and the animal control warden had been visiting the area nearly every day, feeding the dogs and working to gain their trust. As of Saturda

BAYLIS — A Pike County, Illinois woman has pleaded guilty but mentally ill to multiple felony charges tied to two separate incidents late last year. Twenty-eight-year-old Madelyn Syrcle entered the plea Tuesday in Pike County Circuit Court before Judge J. Frank McCartney. Court records show the charges stem from incidents on December 20 and December 30. In the first case, Syrcle pleaded guilty to residential burglary and criminal damage to property. In the second incident, sh

PITTSFIELD — Several individuals were taken into custody in Pike County, Illinois between March 23 and March 29, with multiple serious charges reported by local law enforcement agencies. Among the most significant arrests, Timothy D. Shanks of Pittsfield was charged with delivery of methamphetamine involving 15 to 100 grams, along with additional offenses including resisting a peace officer. Heather L. Crowder of Nebo was arrested on a charge of aggravated battery to a police

LOUISIANA — The Louisiana Police Department is warning residents and local businesses after counterfeit bills were recently discovered circulating in the community. Officials say the fake currency has shown up in multiple instances, prompting a push to educate the public on what to watch for. Police say several of the counterfeit bills include obvious warning signs, such as the word “COPY” printed directly on the bill or markings that do not appear on legitimate U.S. currency

PITTSFIELD - A Wellington, Kansas, man is in custody following an investigation involving alleged online contact with a child in Pike County, Illinois, according to the Pike County Illinois Sheriff’s Department. Authorities say the case began after the parents of a child under the age of 13 discovered their child had been communicating online with an adult male for several months. Investigators later determined the suspect also had multiple open cases in Kansas involving the

CARROLLTON — A Greene County man has been sentenced to prison following a conviction for a sexual abuse offense, according to the Greene County State’s Attorney’s Office. Lloyd L. Speaker was sentenced to six years in the Illinois Department of Corrections after being convicted of aggravated criminal sexual abuse, a Class 2 felony. The charge carried a possible sentence ranging from probation up to seven years in prison. Officials say the court considered the nature of the of

QUINCY — A Quincy man has been sentenced to more than five decades in prison following convictions on multiple child pornography-related charges. Christopher R. Romo, 33, was sentenced to a total of 55 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections, with 38 of those years ordered to be served consecutively. According to court records, the sentence includes 12 years each for two counts of child pornography, 8½ years each for two additional counts, and 14 years for child photo

BOWLING GREEN — UPDATE: THE PIKE COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE REPORTS BURT IS BACK IN CUSTODY. A large-scale manhunt is underway in Pike County, Missouri as authorities search for an escaped inmate identified as Caden Keith Burt . According to Pike County Missouri Sheriff Stephen Korte, Burt is a white male believed to be in his mid-20s to early 30s with long brown hair. He was last seen wearing an orange jumpsuit at the time of his escape. Multiple law enforcement agencies are a

BOWLING GREEN, MISSOURI —  Two suspects are in custody following a burglary attempt at a firearms business and a related stolen vehicle investigation in Bowling Green. According to Bowling Green Police Chief Chris Beard , officers were dispatched March 15 to D&G Firearms  after a burglary alarm was triggered. When officers arrived, they found a broken window at the business , indicating an attempted break-in. While officers were investigating the scene, they were notified tha

JERSEYVILLE —  A Jerseyville man who works for the Jerseyville Public Library has been charged with multiple counts of possessing child sexual abuse material following an investigation by state and local authorities. Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul  announced charges against 42-year-old Adam Hurley of Jerseyville , who is accused of possessing child sexual abuse material. Prosecutors have filed 10 counts of possession of child sexual abuse material , each a Class 2 felo

PIKE COUNTY — Several arrests involving more serious criminal charges were reported by the Pike County Sheriff’s Department during the week of March 9 through March 15. Among the most serious cases, Michael K. Guthrie, 51, of Nebo  was arrested March 10 on a warrant for aggravated discharge of a firearm and reckless discharge of a firearm . Authorities also reported the arrest of Jesse S. Moore, 54, of Barry , on a warrant for failure to report as a sex offender . In another

PIKE COUNTY, IL — A rural Barry man has been arrested after authorities say he was not in compliance with Illinois sex offender registration requirements. The Pike County Sheriff’s Department announced the arrest of Jesse S. Moore, 54, of rural Barry  following an investigation initiated by Chief Deputy Zack Orr . According to the sheriff’s department, Orr observed that Moore was out of compliance with required sex offender registration guidelines and prepared an investigati

NEBO — A Nebo man was being held Wednesday in the Pike County Jail after reports that vehicles were being shot at while traveling along County Highway 7. Pike County Sheriff David Greenwood said drivers reported Tuesday that someone appeared to be targeting vehicles with a firearm along the roadway. Authorities determined several vehicles had been struck by gunfire during the incidents. Officials said no injuries were reported . Investigators later obtained an arrest warrant

PIKE COUNTY ILLINOIS — The Pike County Sheriff’s Department has released its weekly incarceration report covering arrests recorded between March 2 and March 8 at the Pike County Jail. Among the arrests during the reporting period, 35-year-old Travis L. Wooldridge of Pearl  was taken into custody March 3 by the Pittsfield Police Department on charges including domestic battery, battery, and interfering with the reporting of domestic violence . Jail records show Wooldridge rema

PITTSFIELD — The Pike County Sheriff’s Department reported multiple warrant-related arrests and at least one aggravated battery charge among inmates booked into the Pike County Jail between February 23 and March 1. According to the weekly incarceration report, the majority of arrests during the reporting period involved failure to appear warrants issued by Pike County and other jurisdictions. Several individuals were also being held for neighboring counties, including Morgan,