Marsha L. Cascio-Hale, Jackson County State’s Attorney, announced today that Jeffery
Haremski, 30, of Murphysboro, Illinois, pled guilty to two counts of Unlawful Possession of a
Stolen Motor Vehicle and was sentenced to 10 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections.
On December 5, 2025, the Carbondale Police Department was contacted by a citizen who
reported her Kia SUV had been stolen. She indicated the defendant had been staying with her
and had taken it without permission. Officers eventually located the defendant and arrested him
on the charges.
One week later, on December 12, 2025, the Carbondale Police Department was contacted by
another citizen who reported his Toyota Scion had been stolen. The defendant was identified as
the perpetrator and was pulled over in the vehicle. Upon being pulled over, the defendant fled
on foot and was eventually arrested. In an interview, the defendant admitted to stealing upwards
of 18 different vehicles and stated that he always gets away with it. Notably, the defendant has
an extensive criminal history of theft and burglary-related charges.
On February 26, 2026, the defendant pled guilty to these two charges and was sentenced to 10
years in the Illinois Department of Corrections.
The investigation was led by the Carbondale Police Department. The prosecution was led by
Assistant State’s Attorney Sophia Allen. ASA Allen explained that property crime affects many
citizens and is not taken lightly.
“Justice is served when the punishment fits the crime. This defendant, by his own
admission, had numerous thefts which must be accounted for, and 10 years is
reflective of that accountability.”
— State’s Attorney Marsha Cascio-Hale
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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
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which do not, please see Rule 3.6 — Trial Publicity.
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