A 31-year-old from Kewanee was sentenced to 180 days in the Henry County Jail for Aggravated Battery for shooting two people with a BB Gun on Kewanee Streets. Michael E. Workheiser was sentenced by Judge Cosby on June 21, 2023, to 180 days in jail with day-for-day credit, 30 Months Probation, $2,299 in fines and assessments, he must seek Anger Management and Recommended Treatment, maintain full-time employment and have no contact with either victim. Judge Cosby said punishment is necessary because “This type of activity will not be tolerated”. Workheiser must serve all 90 days because he has no time served towards this jail sentence. Michael Workheiser started the hearing with an unsworn statement where he said “I’m Sorry” and that he was protecting his pregnant girlfriend and child after a group of motorcycles and vehicles surrounded his vehicle. He said there was four or five vehicles around his car and he was hit be a water bottle. Workheiser said “I overreacted”.
Assistant State’s Attorney Reynolds said Mr. Workheiser was in a vehicle and had the choice to drive away but chose to pull a BB Gun and shoot people, including Scott P, who Workheiser said he thought was someone else. ASA Reynolds said “he is easily triggered”. Attorney Dyer said they want to impune him with things people have done to him, such as the orders of protection. Attorney Dyer said his vehicle was surrounded by vehicles, throwing things at him, with his child and pregnant girlfriend in the car, “It’s not just a matter of he could’ve driven away”. “Would’ve, Could’ve, Should’ve.” Attorney Dyer said maybe Mr. Workheiser needs help with his issues. “Lock him up is not the answer to this.” Attorney Dyer said locking up his client isn’t going to change other peoples’ actions in the future.
Judge James Cosby said there will be no restitution ordered because the victim did not provide the estimate for $1700 to fix his vehicle that was damaged by the BB’s shot by Mr. Workheiser. Judge Cosby said sentencing is designed to accomplish rehabilitation and punishment. Neither Dakota K or Scott P were involved in the original altercation that Mr. Workheiser said caused him to shoot the BB Gun. Scott P was operating his motorcycle on Main Street when he was shot in the face by Mr. Workheiser, which Scott P said has left permanent scarring. Workheiser said he thought Scott P was someone else. Dakota K had a disagreement with Workheiser and Dakota said he “was sprayed by bullets”. According to Assistant State’s Attorney Reynolds, Dakota K said he saw his life flash before his eyes because he thought Workheiser pulled a real gun. Judge Cosby said he doesn’t agree that Workheiser was protecting his family because the incident was two blocks from the Kewanee Police Department and he could have gone to the Police or called the Police, instead “I think you were making the choice to get even”.
Judge Cosby allowed Workheiser two weeks to get his affairs in order before reporting to the Henry County Jail to begin serving his sentence. Workheiser is scheduled to report to jail on July 5th at 10 AM. Workheiser is to have NO contact at all with the victims, their residences and businesses, whether directly or indirectly.
Workheiser plead guilty to one count of Aggravated Battery and the remaining counts were dismissed per the agreement. Workheiser was originally charged with two (2) counts of Aggravated Battery in a Public Place (Class 3 Felony) and Reckless Conduct (Class A Misdemeanor).
