A Kewanee man is back in prison after guns were found in his possession by parole agents from the Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC). Kewanee Police assisted IDOC agents with the arrest of William Merritt III and a search of his room on February 21, 2024. William Merritt III was charged with four counts of possession of a firearm by a felon. According to the police, Merritt III admitted that he was given the guns to sell. William Merritt III pleaded guilty to one count and was sentenced to five years in IDOC, must serve 50% of the sentence, day-for-day credit, credit for 62 days served in the Henry County Jail, six months of Mandatory Supervised Release following his release from prison, a $75 fine, plus assessments, and a $500 Public Defender fee. The remaining three counts are dismissed. Merritt must report within 180 days of his release from prison to make payment arrangements. Judge Hathaway recommended drug treatment while in the custody of the Illinois Department of Corrections.
William Merritt III was originally charged with four counts of Felon in Possession of a Weapon (Class 3 felony).