A Kewanee man was sentenced to two years in the Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC) after pleading guilty to Reckless Discharge of a Firearm on May 16, 2023. At the Sentencing hearing on July 21st, 20-year-old Matthew Peed said he was sorry for his actions and he wanted to make the most of life. “I am not a bad person.” Matthew Peed asked the court for another chance at life. The State requested three years in IDOC, six Months Mandatory Supervised release, $75 fine plus assessments and pay monies owed for Electronic Home Monitoring. Assistant State’s Attorney Reynolds said the Mr. Peed has a criminal history going back to juvenile convictions. The State said that Mr. Peed has clearly not learned consequences for his actions. Defense Attorney Bruce Carmen said Mr. Peed comes from a broken family. Mr. Carmen said Mr. Peed is very young and had troubles adjusting when he was younger. “He’s a good guy, a sincere guy.” Mr. Carmen said that Mr. Peed knows he needs to be punished and he understands if he must serve 180 days in the Henry County Jail, but not prison. The Defense requested probation and a stayed jail sentence so Mr. Peed can continue to work and pay off his debts. Mr. Peed was on Conditional Discharge when this offense was committed according to the State.
Judge Colby Hathaway said that discharging a firearm in a residential neighborhood risks harm and a sentence is necessary to deter others from committing the same crimes. Judge Hathaway sentenced Matthew Peed to two years in IDOC, six months Mandatory Supervised Release, $75 fine and assessments and pay the monies owed for the Electronic Home Monitoring. Mr. Peed will only get credit for three days served because the days on Electronic Home Monitoring don’t count towards his sentence. Matthew Peed was remanded into custody to begin serving his sentence.
Matthew Peed was originally charged with Aggravated Battery by Firearm Discharge (Class 1 Felony), Aggravated Battery in a Public Place (Class 3 Felony), Reckless Discharge of a Firearm (Class 4 Felony) and Aggravated Assault (Class 3 Felony). On June 30, 2022, Mr. Peed is charged with discharging a firearm when the victim grabbed the handgun that Mr. Peed displayed. The victim suffered minor injuries to his hand but refused medical treatment at the scene. A Class 4 Felony and is punishable by 1 to 3 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections followed by one year of Mandatory Supervised Release, but Probation or Conditional Discharge are possible.
