A 20-year-old man from Geneseo was given a second chance to change his life around and be a law-abiding citizen. John DeBord of Geneseo received probation and time in the Henry County Jail, but he is prohibited from possessing sexually explicit material. He was charged with placing a cell phone that was actively recording in the female dressing room when he worked as a lifeguard at the Community Center in Geneseo. A juvenile discovered the phone as she was about to change her clothes. She stopped the phone from recording, changed her clothes, and alerted the Community Center Staff.
John DeBord made an unsworn statement at the sentencing and said “I’m sorry for everything I’ve put you through.” He said that it’s not right what the female juvenile went through because of his actions. He apologized and thanked his parents for their support. “None of this will make up for my actions.” “I’m sorry.”
State’s Attorney Runty said the State has “significant concerns” with the “sexual deviance” of the defendant. The State said that John Debord had given multiple different statements about the incident, including his unsworn statement in court. State’s Attorney Runty said this was a planned attack on the juvenile’s safety and security. Because she was aware of her surroundings, she was able to stop the recording before a comprising video was captured. State’s Attorney Runty said that the State believes a sentence to the Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC) is appropriate punishment because court services can’t monitor his actions at all times. The State asked for three years in IDOC and he must register as a sex offender.
Defense Attorney Breedlove said this case doesn’t involve physical harm, although the victim suffered emotional harm, but no physical harm. Attorney Breedlove said that John DeBord should understand that a cell phone is a privilege, and that could be part of his probation. Attorney Breedlove said his client needs rehabilitation, and IDOC doesn’t do that. John has a job and helps his family. Attorney Breedlove said that one and one-half years in the IDOC is not long enough to benefit from any programs in IDOC. Attorney Breedlove said that a sentence to the IDOC is not appropriate and that probation with serious restrictions is appropriate. “A sentence to the DOC would be a major step back from the progress he has already made.”
Judge Patton said that having a family won’t guarantee he won’t commit a crime, but having a family is helpful. He said that he couldn’t imagine what the victim had gone through since the incident, plus that other people who worked there. Judge Patton said, “You can’t watch somebody constantly, 24 hours a day.” Judge Patton said “The fact that you have been participating in your sex offender program” and “Staying out of trouble” are the only reasons he didn’t sentence John Debord to the IDOC. Judge Patton said that the younger an offender is, the better the chances are for rehabilitation.
John Debord was sentenced to 30 months of probation, 180 days in the Henry County Jail, day-for-day credit for the jail sentence, a $75 fine, submitting DNA and paying associated costs, continuing the sex offender treatment program, not allowed to possess any firearms or dangerous weapons, no unsupervised contact with minors, not allowed to work anywhere that causes him to have unsupervised contact with minors, not to possess any sex-related materials, not to frequent any establishment that sells or rents sexually explicit material, not to rent any sexually explicit materials on cable or streaming services, court services will look through his phone and devices, he must register as a sex offender, must pay the $800 sex offender evaluation fee, and he will report to the Henry County Jail on July 1st.