Five-Year Prison Sentence Issued in Greene County Felony Cases

CARROLLTON — Greene County State’s Attorney Craig M. Grummel announced Tuesday that Benjamin T. Rice has been sentenced to concurrent five-year prison terms in the Illinois Department of Corrections following convictions in two separate felony cases in Greene County Circuit Court.

Rice was convicted in one case of aggravated battery, which was prosecuted by Special Prosecutor Michael Havera of the Illinois State’s Attorneys Appellate Prosecutor’s Office. In a separate case, Rice was convicted of unlawful possession of methamphetamine involving less than five grams, prosecuted by Grummel’s office.

On February 10, 2026, the court sentenced Rice to five years in prison for each conviction, with the sentences ordered to be served concurrently.

Grummel thanked Special Prosecutor Havera and the law enforcement agencies involved for their professionalism and work leading to the convictions. He also noted that substance abuse continues to be a significant factor behind criminal behavior in the region, emphasizing that prosecuting violent offenses and drug crimes remains a priority to protect public safety and maintain quality of life in Greene County.