Violent Crimes Statement

MURPHYSBORO — Jackson County State’s Attorney, Joseph A. Cervantez, announced today that the following six individuals are just the latest of many who have been arrested and charged for gun related offenses over the last several months. Cervantez explained that “law enforcement has been laser focused on investigating violent crimes and as a result, we have been successful on the prosecution side.”

State’s Attorney Cervantez emphasized that “the charges filed are not evidence of guilt – a defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial at which this office has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt”

Marlin J. Brown, age 43, of Carbondale, Illinois, has been charged with Armed Habitual Criminal, a Class X Felony, for his alleged involvement with a February 18th, 2022, shooting incident in Carbondale, Illinois. His bond has been set at $75,000.

Keon L. Foulks, age 18, of Carbondale, Illinois, has been charged with one count of Aggravated Discharge of a Firearm, a Class 1 Felony, and one count of Aggravated Unlawful Use of a Weapon, a Class 4 Felony, for his alleged involvement with a February 18th, 2022, shooting incident in Carbondale, Illinois. His bond has been set at $500,000.

Keavonte T. Nesby, age 20, of Carbondale, Illinois, has been charged with one count of Aggravated Discharge of a Firearm, a Class 1 Felony, and one count of Aggravated Unlawful Use of a Weapon, a Class 4 Felony, for his alleged involvement with a February 18th, 2022, shooting incident in Carbondale, Illinois. His bond has been set at $500,000.

Darrion P.M. Sentz, age 21, of Carbondale, Illinois, has been charged with one count of Aggravated Discharge of a Firearm, a Class 1 Felony, along with other firearm offenses, for his alleged involvement with a December shooting incident in Carbondale, Illinois. His bond has been set at $200,000.

Julius C. Kitt, age 23, of Carbondale, Illinois, has been charged with one count of Aggravated Discharge or a Firearm, a Class 1 Felony, along with other firearm offenses, for his alleged involvement with a December shooting incident in Carbondale, Illinois. His bond has been set at $200,000.

Micah D. Jones, age 27, of Carbondale, Illinois, has been charged with Unlawful Use of Weapon by a Felon, a Class 3 Felony, for his alleged involvement with a February incident in Carbondale, Illinois. His bond has been set at $100,000.

State’s Attorney Cervantez explained today that while his office handles a wide variety of matters, it’s certainly has an increased focus on gun crimes since the Summer of 2021. “I will be the first to agree that the criminal justice system needs improvement, that our community needs more resources, and that rehabilitation and diversion programs are valuable tools, but my job as State’s Attorney is to strike the correct balance. Shooters and other violent offenders will be help accountable and there will be consequences if you decide to use a gun,” State’s Attorney Cervantez stressed that “Our office will continue seeking high bonds in gun related cases to maintain public safety. Every offender will be held accountable.”

Carbondale Police Chief Stan Reno commented, “The Carbondale Police Department is committed to diligently investigating all violent crime cases in the City and presenting the cases to State’s Attorney Cervantez for prosecution. Anyone involved with a firearm related offense can expect to be arrested and held accountable. We will continue to work with all of our law enforcement partners to end violent crime and remove violent offenders from Carbondale.”