Jacob Boss: Jacob Boss had his first appearance for new charges of criminal property damage. Boss is charged with driving through a fence on private property on East 10th Street on December 22, 2023, on a motorcycle. Attorney Lance Camp was appointed as a public defender. Boss was released with pretrial release conditions. A Jury Pre-Trial is scheduled for March 25, 2024, at 9 AM. Jacob Boss is charged with Criminal Damage to Property <$500 (Class A Misdemeanor) for case 2024CM11, Possession of a Stolen Vehicle (Class 2 Felony) for case 2023CF198, Theft <500 from a School/Government (Class 2 Felony) for case 2023CF336, Retail Theft <300 (Class A Misdemeanor) for case 2023CM26, Reckless Driving (Class A Misdemeanor), No Valid Registration (Class P Other), Operate Uninsured Motor Vehicle (Class P Other), Improper Lane Usage (Class P Other) and No Headlights (Class P Other) for case 2023MT770, Operate Uninsured Motor Vehicle for case 2023TR1174, Operate Uninsured Motor Vehicle and No Valid Registration for case 2023TR1941, Expired Registration, Operating Uninsured Motor Vehicle and No Seatbelt by Driver for case 2023TR2422.
Michael Moore: Michael Moore will remain in the Henry County Jail until trial. Michael Moore is charged with possessing meth, bodily harm to a family member, and preventing the victim from calling for help. The State’s petition for pretrial detention was approved by Judge Cosby. Moore allegedly punched a female family member in the chest and scratched her on February 25, 2024. He also allegedly took her cell phone to prevent her from calling law enforcement. The defense attorney, Lance Camp, said his client has little to no fingernails to have scratched her. Moore denies touching her in any way and he can live with his uncle in Cambridge. This is the defendant’s second possession of meth in the system. He was out on bond from the December 30, 2022, possession of meth arrest. Moore allegedly admitted that he doesn’t believe in rehab and is working on sobriety on his own. A Preliminary Hearing is scheduled for March 4, 2024, at 1 PM. Michael Moore is charged with Possession of Meth <5 Grams (Class 3 Felony) for case 2023CF32. Moore is charged with Possession of Meth <5 Grams (Class 3 Felony), Domestic Battery/Physical Contact (Class A Misdemeanor), Domestic Battery/Bodily Harm (Class A Misdemeanor), and Intefer with Reporting Domestic Violence (Class A Misdemeanor) for case 2024CF70.
Shawn Swearingen: Shawn Swearingen will remain in the Henry County Jail until trial. Judge Cosby approved the State’s petition for pretrial detention because “he was apparently trying to trade guns for drugs.” He was out on bond for pending cases. Swearingen had a Taurus 9mm semi-auto, Roscoe Arms .22 caliber, and possession of ammunition. He applies for an extended term on counts 1-3. He is charged with possession of a loaded firearm without a FOID card and drug paraphernalia. Attorney Camp said his client agrees to wear an ankle monitor and undergo drug testing. He is waiting for an answer from the drug court. The State said the defendant admitted to selling guns. “An ankle monitor won’t prevent him from sensing guns.” A Preliminary Hearing is scheduled for March 11, 2024, at 1 PM. Swearingen is charged with three counts of Unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon (Class 3 Felony), Aggravated Unlawful use of a weapon (Class 4 Felony), Possession of Drug Paraphernalia (Class A Misdemeanor), Unlawful Use of Cannabis/Driver (Class A Misdemeanor), Operating Uninsured Motor Vehicle (Class P Other), and Driving on Wrong Side of Road (Class P Other) for case 2024CF71. Swearingen is charged with Possession of Meth <5 Grams (Class 3 Felony) and two counts of Possession of a Controlled Substance (Class 4 Felony) for case 2023CF308.
William Merritt III: William Merritt III still refused to come to court. William Merritt III will remain in the Henry County Jail until trial. The State’s petition for pretrial detention was approved by Judge Cosby. Merritt had a .22 M49 firearm, a .22 Mossberg firearm, a 12 gauge Remington shotgun, and a .22 Winchester firearm, in his possession. Merritt was on parole from a previous plea. He is subject to extended term sentencing and the charges are non-probationable. Attorney Camp said Merritt is willing to wear an ankle monitoring bracelet and undergo testing. His parole is almost done. He can live with his daughter. Merritt refused to attend two court hearings and refused to talk to the pretrial investigator. The Illinois Department of Corrections was going to take Merritt into custody for parole violations when the weapons were discovered. A Preliminary Hearing is scheduled for March 4, 2024, at 1 PM. William Merritt III is charged with four counts of Unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon (Class 3 felony).
