Shootings Press Release

MURPHYSBORO — Jackson County State’s Attorney, Joseph A. Cervantez, announced today that his office continues its efforts to hold individuals responsible for gun-related offenses. He explained that while his office handles a wide variety of matters, there has certainly been an increased focus on gun crimes since the Summer of 2021. “I will be the first to agree that the criminal justice system needs improvement, that our community needs more resources, and that rehabilitation and diversion programs are valuable tools; but my job as a State’s Attorney is to strike the correct balance. Shooters and other violent offenders will be held accountable, and there will be consequences if you decide to use a gun.” State’s Attorney Cervantez stressed that “Our office will continue seeking high bonds in gun-related cases to maintain public safety. Every offender will be held accountable.”

State’s Attorney Cervantez stressed that “While preventative programs are crucial in refocusing our youth away from violence, our community must stand up and continue to be vigilant against crime in our neighborhoods.” He went on to explain that “our law enforcement agencies have done will connecting with the community, and that has been vital in investigating gun-related crimes. As a result, we have been successful at putting strong cases together for prosecution.” The most recent of many gun cases charge this year include:

Cody A. Dempsey, age 28, of Carbondale, Illinois, was recently charged with one count of Attempt Murder and Aggravated Discharge of a Firearm, both of which are Class 1 Felonies, for involvement with an April 30th, 2022, shooting incident in Carbondale, Illinois. He is currently being held on a $800,000.00 bond.

Elijah Mosley, 28, of Carbondale, Illinois, was recently charged with Aggravated Battery with a Firearm, a Class X Felony; Aggravated Discharge of a Firearm, a Class 1 Felony; and Unlawful Use of Weapons by a Felon, a Class 3 Felony, for involvement with an April 11^th, 2022, shooting incident in Carbondale, Illinois. He is currently being held on a $250,000.00 bond.

Charleton Joshua Patterson, 28, of Carbondale, Illinois, was recently charged with Aggravated Discharge of a Firearm, a Class 1 Felony; and Unlawful Use of Weapons by a Felon, a Class 3 Felony; for involvement with an April 30, 2022, shooting incident in Carbondale, Illinois. He is currently being held on a $750,000.00 bond.

Demarcus O. Jones, 27, of Carbondale, Illinois, was recently charged with Aggravated Discharge of a Firearm, a Class 1 Felony; and Unlawful Use of Weapons by a Felon, a Class 2 Felony; for involvement with a May 1^st, 2022, shooting incident in Carbondale, Illinois. He is currently being held on a $750,000.00 bond.

Simeon C. Patterson, 28, of Carbondale, Illinois, was recently charged with Aggravated Discharge of a Firearm, a Class 1 Felony; and Unlawful Use of Weapons by a Felon, a Class 3 Felony; for involvement with an April 30, 2022, shooting incident in Carbondale, Illinois. He is currently being held on a $750,000.00 bond.

Giovanni R. Blissit, age 28, of Carbondale, Illinois, was recently charged with one count of Aggravated Battery a Class 3 Felony; and one count of Unlawful Possession of a Firearm in Public, a Class 4 Felony; for involvement with an April 30th, 2022, shooting incident in Carbondale, Illinois. She is currently being held on a $100,000.00 bond.

Davaughn L. Graves, age 21, of Marion, Illinois, was recently charged with Aggravated Unlawful Use of a Weapon, a Class 4 Felony, for an incident that occurred on May 10, 2022, in Carbondale, Illinois.  He is currently being held on a $100,000 bond.  

Chad D. Smith, age 32, of Marion, Illinois, was recently charged with Unlawful Use of a Weapon by a Felon, a Class 3 Felony, for an incident that occurred on May 6, 2022, in Carbondale, Illinois.  He is currently being held on a $250,000 bond.  

Antwoine C. Smith, age 49, of Carbondale, Illinois, was recently charged with three counts of Unlawful Use of Weapon by a Felon, each a Class 3 Felony, for an incident that occurred in Carbondale, Illinois, on December 5, 2021.   He was arrested in Murphysboro, Illinois, on May 20, 2022, for the warrant on that case with bond at $250,000.   During his arrest, he was found with two handguns and charged with Possession of a Stolen Firearm, a Class 2 Felony; and two counts of Unlawful Use of a Weapon by a Felon, both Class 3 Felonies.  Bond on the new charges has been set at $300,000.

Carbondale Police Chief Stan Reno commented, “I am extremely proud of the work our officers and investigators have done at the Carbondale Police Department to bring violent offenders to justice. The officers exercised extreme restraint during violent encounters involving firearms in some cases. I am also thankful for the cooperation of the community members that assisted in these investigations. The Carbondale Police Department will continue to be committed to keeping Carbondale a safe place to live and visit utilizing all available resources. The Police Department stands with the Carbondale community and will not allow a small group of violent offenders to carry out violent acts in the City. They will be arrested and held accountable for their actions.”

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 be 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.