WATSEKA --  In Iroquois Circuit Court Tuesday, two Kankakee men facing felony theft charges from the Iroquois Paving Corporation were allowed to bond out of jail while a Champaign man facing a DUI charge agreed to a 30-month probation term.

Matthew Jones and John Rosenthal are accused of stealing scrap metal belonging to Iroquois Paving of Watseka.

Judge Gordon Lustfeldt freed Jones on a $10,000 personal recognizance bond while co-defendant Rosenthal was granted a $2,000 bond, as requested by Public Defender Dale Strough.  Both men, it was pointed out by Assistant State’s Attorney Alex O’Brien, have prior felony records.

Jones served a four-year prison term for delivery of a controlled substance and was eligible for an extended sentence since he was on probation. .O’Brien suggested a $15,000 bond while the defense asked for $2,000 bail.

Judge Lustfeldt allowed the recognizance bond after Jones told the court he was caring for a 9-month-old child and his girl-friend is 5-months pregnant.  Jones also said he was a student at KCC.

Rosenthal is unemployed, on disability and living with his dad in Kankakee.  He is on Probation for domestic battery and a prior burglary.

49-year-old Ronald Carter of Champaign appeared for sentencing after pleading guilty to DUI.  He was facing a term of probation to six years in the DOC. 

Judge Lustfeldt, in imposing a 30-month Probation period, also fined Carter $500 and suggested an alcohol treatment program.

Carter told the court had a prior DUI conviction.  He also faces sentencing in Champaign County later this month for Possession of a Weapon while on Probation.  His record also showed a series of six felonies dating back to the 1980’s but none since 2002.

Carter’s live-in fiancé testified that he’s been a changed-man since learning of his mother’s cancer diagnosis.  She said he helps care for his mother in Chicago while she also received hospice care.  WyNomia Lindsey also said Carter is a male figure in her 16-yr-old adopted son’s life.

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