March 12, 2026/

Illinois Quick Hits: Correctional officer charged with sexual misconduct

Spread the love

By Jim Talamonti | The Center Square
The Center Square

(The Center Square) – A correctional officer is charged with six counts of sexual misconduct and one count of official misconduct at the White County Jail.

Illinois State Police said an extensive investigation revealed that Darren R. Hays, 57, of Carmi, Illinois, engaged in a sexual relationship with a female inmate while he was on duty at the facility.

MAN CHARGED WITH THREATENING JUDGES

A Libertyville man is charged with sending threatening letters to federal judges in Texas and Florida.

Prosecutors say James Lebuhn, 65, mailed letters in March 2025 to U.S. District Court judges in Amarillo, Texas, and Fort Pierce, Florida for the purpose of making a true threat.

Arraignment is set for Thursday, March 26 in Chicago.

CREDIT UNION ROBBERY SUSPECT NABBED

FBI Springfield Acting Special Agent in Charge Ruben Marchand-Morales says a rapid response by Swansea police helped neutralize a bank robbery last week.

Deondre E. Jones, 55, is charged with robbing a credit union in Swansea on the afternoon of March 6 and fleeing on foot. According to the federal complaint, police officers arrested Jones about eight minutes later.

Leave a Comment





Latest News Stories

WATCH: Map debate, case against Texas Democrats continues in Illinois

WATCH: Map debate, case against Texas Democrats continues in Illinois

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – An Illinois Republican lawmaker says a judge’s ruling this week did not end the case against Texas...
WATCH: Illinois GOP State Fair rally takes aim at Pritzker, ‘woke agenda’

WATCH: Illinois GOP State Fair rally takes aim at Pritzker, ‘woke agenda’

By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) − Republicans took their turn at the Illinois State Fair to call out Illinois Democrats for what the...
Small business group: Pritzker-signed bills are wrong move

Small business group: Pritzker-signed bills are wrong move

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) − Gov. J.B. Pritzker has signed legislation that he says will protect workers, but a small business advocate...
Grand Canyon fire now 54% contained; 144,432 acres burned

Grand Canyon fire now 54% contained; 144,432 acres burned

By Zachery SchmidtThe Center Square America’s largest active wildfire is now 54% contained, according to a report on a U.S. government website. Containment of the Dragon Bravo Fire in Arizona...
Report: Post-election audits in swing states insufficient

Report: Post-election audits in swing states insufficient

By Elyse ApelThe Center Square A recent report analyzed the 2024 post-election audits of seven swing states, finding that many were “inadequate” and lacking “transparency.” In Michigan, it found that...
U.S. producer prices surge in July as tariffs increase costs

U.S. producer prices surge in July as tariffs increase costs

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square U.S. wholesale inflation surged last month, a sign that President Donald Trump's tariffs are boosting costs and higher prices may be on the way. The...
Colorado sued over social media warnings for minors

Colorado sued over social media warnings for minors

By Elyse ApelThe Center Square An internet trade group filed a lawsuit against Colorado Thursday morning, challenging a new law that would require social media platforms to regularly send pop-up...
WATCH: Illinois In Focus Daily | Thursday Aug. 14th, 2025

WATCH: Illinois In Focus Daily | Thursday Aug. 14th, 2025

By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – In today's edition of Illinois in Focus Daily, The Center Square Editor Greg Bishop shares highlights from...
Chicago’s commercial property taxes spike to twice national city average

Chicago’s commercial property taxes spike to twice national city average

By Glenn Minnis | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Chicago business owners are now being forced to pay some of the highest commercial property taxes...
Illinois quick hits: Court rejects lawsuit against Texas Democrats; no charges for police

Illinois quick hits: Court rejects lawsuit against Texas Democrats; no charges for police

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Court rejects lawsuit against Texas Democrats An Adams County judge has rejected a lawsuit against 33 Texas House Democrats who absconded...
Illinois judge rejects Texas legislature lawsuit over absconding Dems

Illinois judge rejects Texas legislature lawsuit over absconding Dems

By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square An Illinois judge has rejected a lawsuit filed by the state of Texas against 33 House Democrats who absconded from the state to stop legislative...
Meeting Briefs

Meeting Briefs: Lake Land College Board of Trustees for June 9, 2025

At its regular monthly meeting, the Lake Land College Board of Trustees took several actions, including approving employee pay raises, supporting a TIF district extension for the City of Mattoon,...
DOJ settles race-based admissions with military academies

DOJ settles race-based admissions with military academies

By Esther WickhamThe Center Square The Department of Justice announced this week a settlement of litigation challenging the race-based admissions practices at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and...
More California voters are liking Trump's job performance

More California voters are liking Trump’s job performance

By Jamie ParsonsThe Center Square President Donald Trump’s job approval rating in California is slightly higher than what it was at this time in his first term and from when...
U.S. national debt tops $37 trillion

U.S. national debt tops $37 trillion

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square Congress has spent more money than it has collected for the last two decades, allowing the U.S. debt to top $37 trillion for the first...