Marsha L. Cascio-Hale, Jackson County State’s Attorney, announced today that Arturo
Ortega, 38, of Indiana, was sentenced to 4 years in the Illinois Department of
Corrections for Unlawful Use of Weapons by a Felon.
On May 6, 2026, Ortega entered a negotiated plea to Unlawful Use of Weapons by a
Felon for 4 years. The case alleged that on February 21, 2026, Carbondale Police
Officers responded to 610 South Illinois Avenue in Carbondale, Illinois, in reference to a
man with a knife. Officers spoke with witnesses who indicated that Ortega was
confronted for touching another patron. When confronted, he produced a knife. The
incident was captured on video, and Ortega was arrested with the knife still in his
possession. As a convicted felon, the defendant is prohibited from possessing weapons.
The investigation was led by the Carbondale Police Department. The prosecution was
led by Assistant State’s Attorney Sophia Allen. ASA Allen explained that violence and
threats of violence are not tolerated and are taken seriously.
“Keeping our community safe is our main goal.”
— State’s Attorney Marsha Cascio-Hale
LEGAL NOTICE
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responsibility carries with it specific obligations to see that the defendant is accorded procedural justice,
and that guilt is decided upon the basis of sufficient evidence. Except for statements that are necessary to
inform the public of the nature and extent of the prosecutor’s action and that serve a legitimate law
enforcement purpose, by Supreme Court Rule, the State’s Attorney is not allowed to make statements
about pending cases or investigations which would pose a serious and imminent threat to the fairness of
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have been determined to pose such a threat to the fairness of the proceedings and for a list of subjects
which do not, please see Rule 3.6 — Trial Publicity.
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satisfaction of the jury.