CARBONDALE MAN GUILTY OF HOME INVASION AND AGGRAVATED SEXUAL ASSAULT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Joseph A. Cervantez, Jackson County State’s Attorney
Date: December 15, 2023

CARBONDALE MAN GUILTY OF HOME INVASION AND AGGRAVATED SEXUAL ASSAULT

Joseph A. Cervantez, Jackson County State’s Attorney, announced today that Kyle C. Locklear, 33, of Carbondale, was sentenced to 99-years in the Illinois Department of Corrections. Locklear was found guilty earlier this year of two counts of Aggravated Criminal Sexual Assault of a Person Over the Age of 60; two counts of Home Invasion; and one count each of Residential Burglary and Aggravated Unlawful Restraint.

In a weeklong trial, Cervantez presented evidence that on Saturday, May 1, 2021, at around 11:21 A.M., Jackson County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a residence just outside of Carbondale city limits in Jackson County regarding a home invasion and sexual assault. Locklear had entered through a back window of a rural residence while the homeowner was present. After the night long attack, he left with her phone and purse. The survivor was able to make her way to a landline and call for help.

The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office conducted the investigation and arrested Locklear on May 2, 2021. When asked about the investigation and subsequent trial Cervantez praised the work of the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office in the investigation and explained that the experience and training of the Sheriff’s Office was evident and on full display throughout the investigation and during the trial. “The County should be proud of their dedication to duty.”
Cervantez led the prosecution of Kyle C. Locklear, and after securing the Guilty verdict on March 2, 2023, Cervantez praised the efforts of his staff as well. He explained that holding Locklear accountable for these crimes was a team effort, “all hands-on deck.”

A sentencing hearing was held on December 15, 2023, where arguments were made by Cervantez as to his sentencing recommendations. The court ultimately sentenced Locklear to a total of 99-years in the Illinois Department of Corrections, where he will serve 85% of the sentence. The investigation was led by the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office and assisted by the Illinois State Police, among others.

A prosecutor has the responsibility of a minister of justice and not simply that of an advocate. This responsibility carries with it specific obligations to see that the defendant is accorded procedural justice, and that guilt is decided upon the basis of sufficient evidence. Except for statements that are necessary to inform the public of the nature and extent of the prosecutor’s action and that serve a legitimate law enforcement purpose, by Supreme Court Rule, the State’s Attorney is not allowed to make statements about pending cases or investigations which would pose a serious and imminent threat to the fairness of the proceeding. Rule 3.8 Special Responsibilities of a Prosecutor. For a list of certain subjects which have been determined to pose such a threat to the fairness of the proceedings and for a list of subjects which do not, please see Rule 3.6 Trial Publicity. For any press release involving a case which has not yet been tried, please note that: a defendant is presumed to be innocent of a charge until proved guilty beyond a reasonable doubt to the satisfaction of the jury.