Court Call: Dixon murder defendant in court Thursday

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Lee County

Thursday

Byron Adams, 51, of Chicago; charged with three counts of first-degree murder, unlawful possession of a stolen vehicle and criminal trespass to a vehicle, a misdemeanor. Police say Adams suffocated Margaret Atherton, 35, in her Dixon home on Sept. 11.

On the docket: Pretrial conference, during which the judge and attorneys will discuss matters concerning the case and to set a trial schedule. His attorney, Paul Whitcombe, has filed motions for a judge substitution and to dismiss the grand jury indictment against Adams. Those issues are expected to be discussed at the pretrial conference.

Ronald Gapski, 49, of Dixon; charged with aggravated criminal sexual assault for allegedly molesting a teen boy in early May. It took police a month to find him – they tracked him to a house in Wisconsin, where a 4-hour standoff with police ensued.

On the docket: Pretrial conference.

Daniel Garza, 25, of Amboy; charged with criminal sexual abuse, home invasion, and aggravated battery. He also is charged with resisting or obstructing a peace officer and unlawful possession of marijuana, both misdemeanors. In late June, he allegedly broke into a woman’s house, fondled her, then got into a scuffle with police.

On the docket: Motion hearing to separately try only those charges related to the alleged home invasion and sexual assault and those charges stemming from the alleged fight with police.

Jamie Hunt, 34, of Sterling; charged with 5 counts of bringing contraband into a penal institution.

Prosecutors say Hunt, a correctional officer, allegedly on at least five occasions smuggled his cell phone into the Dixon Correctional Center and let inmates make phone calls.

On the docket: Pretrial conference.

William Naylor, 33, of Dixon; charged with armed violence, aggravated battery and resisting a peace officer. He allegedly stabbed a Dixon police officer with a used syringe while he was being involuntarily committed to KSB Hospital for a mental evaluation.

On the docket: Pretrial conference.

Lucas Penwarden, 19, of Franklin Grove; charged with criminal sexual assault for allegedly forcing sex on a teen boy in February.

On the docket: Pretrial conference.

Whiteside County

Tuesday

Eric Smith, 29, of Rock Falls; charged with being an armed habitual criminal and two counts of possession of a firearm by a felon. He allegedly hid guns police say his cousin, Nicholas Sheley, stole from a Rock Falls house in late June.

On the docket: Motion to suppress statements.

Friday

Joshua Sheley, 31, of Rock Falls; charged with concealment of a homicidal death and obstructing justice. In late June, he allegedly helped his brother, Nicholas Sheley, conceal the body of Russell Reed, 93, of rural Sterling.

On the docket: Pretrial conference.

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