DECATUR — Aziz D. Jarrett-XHamilton told the cop who had just struggled to subdue him after he had fled from a Decatur traffic stop that he carried an illegal gun “because there is a lot going on” in his hometown.
The 30-year-old defendant, of Decatur, now has a limited view of what’s going on in town, as he was sent to prison for a year after pleading guilty in Macon County Circuit Court to the aggravated unlawful use of a weapon.
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Jarrett-XHamilton
A sworn affidavit filed by State Trooper Scott Bissonnette said he had encountered Jarrett-XHamilton after pulling over a car he was a passenger in on the morning of Nov. 28, 2022.
The driver stayed put as Jarrett-XHamilton took off running, but he stumbled and fell and was soon chased down by Bissonnette. The two then began a hectic struggle on the ground as the defendant resisted attempts to control and handcuff his hands.
“As I was doing so, I felt what I thought to be a firearm in his jacket pocket,” Bissonnette said. “I struggled with Jarrett for an extended time while giving him verbal commands to put his hands behind his back and to stop resisting.”
The trooper was eventually aided by other arriving officers and, once his prisoner was handcuffed, asked Jarrett-XHamilton why he carried a weapon he was not licensed to own.
“He advised he had the firearm because ‘There is a lot going on.’ Jarrett said he bought the firearm yesterday (the day before the traffic stop) and paid approximately $100.”
Jarrett-XHamilton was sentenced by Judge Jeffrey Geisler at a hearing Jan. 3. He was also ordered to pay $250 to have his DNA added to a criminal database maintained by the Illinois State Police.
Industry experts say Black women increasingly are considering gun ownership for personal protection due in part to concerns over surging crime in cities.
2023 mugshots from the Herald & Review
Lourash
Jeffrey L. Lourash, 57, took a plea deal on April 6, 2023, and admitted the first degree murder of his wife Tabitha Lourash, who was shot to death November 23 in their Warrensburg home. Lourash was sentenced in May of 2023 to 45 years in prison, to be served at 100%.
Hirstein
Steven L. Hirstein, 43, was arrested March 30, 2023, and booked on preliminary charges of attempted murder for a stabbing attack on his girlfriend. He is also charged with aggravated battery to police after allegedly attacking officers with a knife. He was shot and wounded several times by police but his wounds were not considered serious.
Phillip Gehrken
Phillip J. Gehrken, 52, of Forsyth, was sentenced to 50 years in prison March 28, 2023, after being convicted of the murder of 51-year-old victim Kevin Cooper on July 11, 2021.
Joseph A. Williams
Joseph A. Williams, convicted of the attempted murder of a Decatur Police officer, was sentenced 80 years in prison in June of 2023.
Jetrevius O. Jarrett
Jetrevius O. Jarrett is charged with first degree murder for allegedly shooting to death the photographer that took his family’s Christmas pictures in 2021.
Edwards
Cameron C. Edwards, 19, of Cerro Gordo was sentenced to nine years in prison April 4, 2023, after pleading guilty to the unlawful possession of a stolen gun, attempted escape and burglary. He was part of a theft team that stole guns from cop cars.
King-Woods
Traveon Hightower King-Woods, 27, was sentenced to five years in prison March 22, 2023, after he admitted a charge of aggravated robbery. Police said he robbed a victim at gunpoint but then had to flee for his life when the victim chased him in a car. King-Woods accomplice and brother, Amieron L. Barham-Perkins, 20, pleaded guilty to an aggravated robbery charge and was sentenced to five years on January 17, 2023.
Wilson
Tyler J. Wilson, 23, was sentenced to 18 years in prison in Macon County Circuit Court April 26, 2023, after pleading guilty to a charge of armed violence.
Derrickson
Tiyren E. Derrickson, 28, was sentenced to eight years in prison May 18, 2023, after pleading guilty to a charge of burglary. He had raided the same Decatur church on consecutive days and stolen equipment valued at more than $20,000.
Colby J. Park
Colby J. Park, 25, was sentenced to a 24 month conditional discharge and ordered to register as a sex offender for the rest of his life after pleading guilty to the aggravated criminal sexual abuse of a 6-year-old boy by biting the child. The offense dates to October 7, 2018, and Park was sentenced May 19 of 2023.
Contact Tony Reid at (217) 421-7977. Follow him on Twitter: @TonyJReid