FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Joseph A. Cervantez, Jackson County State’s Attorney
Tuesday, August 20, 2024
BLAKE A. JENNINGS FOUND GUILTY BY A JACKSON COUNTY JURY
Joseph A. Cervantez, Jackson County State’s Attorney, announced today that Blake A. Jennings, 36, of DeSoto, was found guilty by a Jackson County jury of Unlawful Use of a Weapon by a Felon, Aggravated Battery, and Resisting a Peace Officer.
On May 26, 2024, Jennings was arrested by the Carbondale Police Department after officers were dispatched to 1200 E. Grand, regarding a white male, wearing a black hoodie, banging on people’s doors and acting disorderly. Officers learned from the reporting parties that Jennings had struck a male, resulting in injury. The reporting parties provided a description, and Carbondale Officers located an individual matching that description in the area. Jennings, a convicted felon, was approached by officers and ordered to stop, to which he resisted arrest. Subsequent to his arrest, knives were located on his person.
State’s Attorney Cervantez stated, “I am grateful for the work performed by the Carbondale Police Department and the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, in order to bring this case to a successful conclusion. I am also thankful to the staff and attorneys in my office for successfully prosecuting this offender.”
The Carbondale Police Department and Jackson County Sheriff’s Office conducted the investigation. Assistant State’s Attorney Sophia M. Allen led the office in the prosecution.
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.
NESBY INDICTED FOR THE FIRST-DEGREE MURDER OF KEESHANNA JACKSON
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Joseph A. Cervantez, State’s Attorney Thursday, October 3, 2024 NESBY INDICTED FOR THE FIRST-DEGREE MURDER OF KEESHANNA JACKSON Joseph A. Cervantez, Jackson County State’s Attorney,...
JUSTIN PERTEET-LOVELADY FOUND GUILTY OF CARBONDALE SHOOTING
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Joseph A. Cervantez, State’s Attorney Monday, September 30, 2024 JUSTIN PERTEET-LOVELADY FOUND GUILTY OF CARBONDALE SHOOTING Joseph A. Cervantez, Jackson...
CERVANTEZ TO HOST PROSECUTOR CONFERENCE AT SIU SCHOOL OF LAW
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Joseph A. Cervantez, State’s Attorney September 24, 2024 CERVANTEZ TO HOST PROSECUTOR CONFERENCE AT SIU SCHOOL OF LAW Jackson County State’s Attorney, Joseph A. Cervantez,...
JACKSON COUNTY SENTENCES FOR WEEKS OF SEPTEMBER 2ND AND 9TH
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Joseph A. Cervantez, State’s Attorney Friday, September 13, 2024 JACKSON COUNTY SENTENCES FOR WEEKS OF SEPTEMBER 2ND AND 9TH Jackson County State’s Attorney, Joseph A. Cervantez,...
JACKSON COUNTY SENTENCES FOR THE WEEK OF AUGUST 26
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Joseph A. Cervantez, State’s Attorney Wednesday, August 28, 2024 JACKSON COUNTY SENTENCES FOR THE WEEK OF AUGUST 26 Joseph A. Cervantez, Jackson County State’s Attorney, announced today that multiple individuals have been...
UPDATE: DARON L. WOODS, 49-YEAR-OLD CHARGED WITH FIRST DEGREE MURDER
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Joseph A. Cervantez, State’s Attorney Thursday, August 22, 2024 UPDATE: DARON L. WOODS, 49-YEAR-OLD CHARGED WITH FIRST DEGREE MURDER Joseph A. Cervantez, Jackson County State’s Attorney, announced today that Daron L. Woods, age 49, of...
1001 Walnut Street
Murphysboro, IL 62966
618-687-7200
Hours of Operation
8am - 4pm
Monday through Friday
Closed on all Federal
and State holidays.