Springfield, Illinois – On December 3, 2023, Springfield Police were called to Memorial Medical Center to remove an individual. According to Memorial Medical Center, a man had started a fire in their bathroom.

According to Springfield Police, Anthony J. Smith Jr., 39, was arrested after Memorial Medical Center security reported he started a fire in the men’s restroom. An officer, upon arriving at Memorial Medical Center, entered the bathroom with heavy smoke damage. In the furthest stall, he observed a burnt, black toilet paper holder.

Smith was seen on camera entering the bathroom, and when another individual went to use the bathroom, they opened the men’s restroom door and advised that the bathroom had smoke all over. The same individual then went and alerted hospital staff of the fire.

Memorial Security Staff informed the police that their engineers estimated the damage caused by the fire, primarily to the toilet paper holder and drywall, to be around $5,000.

Anthony, whose address is listed as homeless, has been charged with Aggravated Arson, a class X felony, for starting the fire at the hospital while knowing people are inside the building. He was denied pre-trial release and remains in the Sangamon County Jail.

Records show that Smith was previously arrested on November 28, 2023, and charged with criminal damage to property, a class 4 felony. He was released on pre-trial release on November 30, 2023 – just three days before he set the fire at Memorial Medical Center. Additional records show that on August 13, 2023, he was arrested for criminal damage to property, a class 4 felony, and released later that month on a recognizance bond.

Smith’s next court date is set for December 21, 2023 at 9:00 a.m.

Springfield, Illinois – On December 4, 2023, Springfield Police responded to 30 Imperial Valley Dr. for a welfare check. Alexis Goodloe’s grandmother called law enforcement to report that her grandchildren were allegedly being battered by their mother, who was using an extension cord.

Upon arrival at the house, police met with both of Goodloe’s children. They informed the officers that their mother, Alexis Goodloe, age 28, became upset about the house being a mess, leading her to yell at them and physically harm them with a belt. One of the children mentioned wearing multiple layers of clothing and not sustaining any injuries. The other child showed officers her right arm, which had a raised abrasion on her elbow and a small laceration on her forearm. She also stated that she had injuries to her thighs.

The Illinois Department of Children & Family Services was notified of the incident, and they advised that they were going to make a report.

An officer at the scene reported that, while attempting to arrest Ms. Goodloe, she resisted, leading him to pull out his taser. He reported, “I walked up and advised Ms. Goodloe to put her hands behind her back as she was under arrest. She turned her arm and body away from me, attempting to move away from officers. I grabbed her arm and told her to stop, but she pulled away and tried to walk off. To gain control and make the arrest, I performed a leg sweep. Ms. Goodloe continued to roll on the ground, preventing officers from placing handcuffs on her. I then displayed my Taser and instructed her to roll onto her stomach and put her hands behind her back. Although she turned onto her stomach, she refused to comply. I managed to gain control of her left wrist using a wrist lock, ultimately gaining control of Ms. Goodloe. She was then placed in handcuffs.”

Goodloe was taken to the Sangamon County Jail and released after being granted pre-trial release. The Sangamon County State’s Attorney’s Office has charged her with two counts of domestic battery, a class A misdemeanor.

Goodloe is expected to return to court on February 21, 2024, at 9:00 a.m.

Menard County, Illinois – A former Menard County Sheriff’s Deputy was arrested after being involved in a single-vehicle accident. The Illinois State Police responded and arrested the former deputy for driving under the influence of alcohol. She was then transported to Menard County Jail, where she reportedly slapped a correctional officer.

On November 28, 2023, around 5:50 p.m., Deputy Michael Dosier of the Menard County Sheriff’s Department was dispatched to a single-car accident with no injuries on State Highway 97 near Athens Blacktop.

Deputy Dosier reported that upon arriving at the scene, he observed a blue SUV halfway blocking the southbound lane on State Highway 97, with the front of the vehicle in the ditch. He asked bystanders if they witnessed anything, and one person mentioned seeing the vehicle swerve and enter the ditch. Deputy Dosier then approached the driver’s side of the vehicle and spoke with the driver, Kelsey M. Wooldridge, age 30, a former co-worker he knew. He noted that during their conversation, Kelsey had a hard time forming sentences and kept repeating herself. According to Deputy Dosier’s report, she mentioned swerving to miss a deer, apologizing and claiming she had never hit a deer. She repeated this multiple times, and at one point, she couldn’t remember if she had hit the deer.

Deputy Dosier reported that Kelsey began to drink water, but he told her to stop because the Illinois State Police were on their way to handle the accident, given Kelsey’s previous employment with the Menard County Sheriff’s Office. Before concluding his report, Deputy Dosier mentioned that when Trooper Carlock with the Illinois State Police arrived on the scene, Kelsey mentioned to him that she was going to go to jail because she could not do the eye test because of her eye issues.

The scene was then turned over to the Illinois State Police, and Kelsey was arrested, initially taken to the Menard County Jail.

At around 7:33 p.m., Deputy Dosier was called to the Menard County Jail to transport Kelsey to Memorial Medical Center in Springfield, Illinois.

Deputy Dosier reported that while in the jail, he witnessed Correctional Officer Isabelle Staab trying to stop Kelsey from pulling on the door in the booking room. He entered the room to assist C.O. Staab. “I helped sit Kelsey down on the bench. While she was on the bench, we talked to her to calm her down and get her to cooperate with us. C.O. Staab wanted Kelsey to go into the holding cell. Kelsey did not want to go into the holding cell. Kelsey wanted Correction Officer Randy Holliday, so I had him step in. Deputy Luke Standley entered the room as well. It was explained to Kelsey that she needed to go into the holding cell several times, and Kelsey refused. Deputy Stanley and I then assisted Kelsey up while she was trying to hold onto the bench. Kelsey was escorted to the holding cell. Once in the holding cell, I let go of her arm. As soon as I let go of Kelsey’s arm, she turned around and slapped me in the face. Once she slapped me in the face, I grabbed Kelsey and put her on the bed in the holding cell and put her left arm behind her back, while Deputy Standley placed handcuffs on her and double-locked them.”

As per C.O. Staab’s report, Kelsey refused to go into the holding cell. “Kelsey stated multiple times that she was not going into the holding cell and refused. Deputy Standley and Dosier assisted Wooldridge to the holding cell,” C.O. Staab reported. “Once Kelsey was in the cell, Deputy Dosier let go of her arm. Kelsey turned abruptly and struck Deputy Dosier in the face with an open hand. I assisted Deputy Dosier in securing Kelsey’s arms behind her back.”

C.O. Staab noted a bright red mark forming on the left side of Deputy Dosier’s jaw.

In response to Kelsey’s arrest, Sangamon County Sheriff Jack Campbell shared with us that the Menard County Sheriff’s Office contacted the Sangamon County Sheriff’s Office, seeking permission to transfer her to the Sangamon County Jail. Sheriff Campbell pointed out that it’s not unusual for one agency to hold an inmate for another. “The Sangamon County Sheriff’s Office has done this before with the Menard County Sheriff’s Office when there is a potential issue with an inmate being housed in our jail,” he shared.

According to personnel records, Kelsey was first hired as a part-time corrections officer with the Menard County Sheriff’s Department on August 15, 2016. She then became a full-time corrections officer on March 27, 2017, and later a full-time deputy sheriff assigned as a school resource officer with the PORTA School District. According to Menard County Sheriff Mark Oller, Kelsey was Menard County’s first female patrol deputy.

In a resignation agreement between Kelsey Wooldridge and the County of Menard, she agreed to resign from her employment two months ago, on August 3, 2023. The resignation agreement outlined that Menard County would provide Kelsey with a neutral non-law enforcement job reference, only providing dates of employment and noting that she resigned. The County also agreed to keep Kelsey under the County’s insurance with the same benefits enjoyed by full-time employees until August 31, 2023. Kelsey was required to return all county-owned property, including her county ID, within one week of the resignation letter date.

Chief Mike Nichols of the Petersburg Police Department informed us that Kelsey resigned from her position on August 7th, 2023, and is no longer employed with the Petersburg Police Department. When we inquired about the existence of a departmental investigation prior to her resignation, given our suspicion regarding the circumstances of her departure from both departments, Chief Nichols told us, “As far as Kelsey [sic] is concerned, she was a part-time officer only, and there was no internal investigation within our department. Any further questions regarding Kelsey should be directed to the Menard County Sheriff’s Office.”

Following the DUI and the physical confrontation with the deputy, the Menard County State’s Attorney’s Office has filed charges against Kelsey for transporting/carrying alcohol, Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol (a class A misdemeanor), aggravated battery of a peace officer (a class 2 felony), and resisting a peace officer (a class A misdemeanor).

We are actively seeking information regarding the circumstances leading to Kelsey’s resignation from both the Petersburg Police Department and the Menard County Sheriff’s Office. As we receive additional details, we will continue to provide updates.

Kelsey’s next court date is set for December 12, 2023, with Criminal Defense Attorney Sara Vig of Vig Law representing her, according to records.

Stay tuned to Springfield Leaks for additional updates.

Springfield, Illinois – On November 20, 2023, around 12:44 p.m., the Springfield Fire Department and the Springfield Police Department were dispatched to a vacant building at 1020 N. 10th Street, currently owned by the City of Springfield.

An employee for CWLP called in to report smoke coming from the door and flames inside the building. Upon arrival, the Springfield Fire Department extinguished a small intentionally set fire in the corner of the building and discovered a woman inside. The woman was identified as Meagan J. Martinez, age 39.

According to the firefighters at the scene, Martinez, whose address is listed as homeless, admitted to setting the fire and said, ‘You don’t bother any other crackheads in here, so why are you bothering me?

Martinez was Mirandized and questioned about the fire, and according to Springfield Fire Department Arson Investigator Clint Warnisher, Martinez stated that she knew the building was vacant and that it was owned by the City. She acknowledged that she had no permission to be there or permission to start a fire inside the building.

Martinez was taken to the Sangamon County Jail and charged by the Sangamon County State’s Attorney’s Office with Arson, a class 2 felony, and Criminal Damage to Government Supported Property, a class 4 felony.

She was released from the County Jail after being granted pre-trial release. A Sangamon County Judge ordered her to stay away from all vacant buildings as a term of her pre-trial release.

Martinez’s next court date is December 14, 2023, at 9:00 a.m.

We checked out the area near the vacant building, took some photos, and spoke with a resident in the area. She informed us that squatters have been staying in the vacant residences pictured below. She also mentioned a rat problem due to issues with the sewers in the area. Despite her efforts to address it with City Workers, nothing has been done about it.

The following pictures were taken on the same block (N 10th St.) and within walking distance of the vacant City-Owned Building.

*ARTICLE WAS FIRST PUBLISHED IN OUR SPRINGFIELD LEAKS MEMBERS GROUP – CLICK HERE IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO SIGN UP*

Springfield, Illinois – On November 23, 2023, at approximately 4:04 p.m., Jonathan Guimard, 39 years old, was arrested for stabbing his hearing-impaired father following an argument.

At the hospital, the police asked Guimard’s father about the incident, and he wrote on a piece of paper that his son Jon had stabbed him.

The doctor reported approximately 20 stab wounds, apparently caused by a knife, and others possibly by a pair of scissors.

Guimard has been charged with Attempted Murder, Aggravated Domestic Battery, and Battery. Guimard was denied pre-trial release and will have to remain in the Sangamon County Jail until the conclusion of this case.

The incident occurred in the 2800 block of S. 14th St in Springfield, Illinois.

Springfield, Illinois – On Wednesday, November 15, 2023, around 2:33 p.m., Springfield Police responded to the area of Johnson Park and Ash St. in reference to a fight.

Following the police response, a Springfield Police Officer is accused of using excessive force by the family of a 14-year-old boy after the officer threw him to the ground, tased him, and maced him. We spoke with Kendra Bright, Elijah’s aunt and guardian. She informed us that, after her nephew was tased, about six Springfield Police Officers came to her house, urgently stating, “We need you to come now; Elijah has been tased.”

Bright explained that the fight happened just a few feet from her house, with parents showing up with bats. She tried to get an ambulance for her nephew, who weighs less than 80 pounds, but they said no.

According to Bright, she informs us that Springfield Police Officer Jason Oliver told her he tased Elijah, and he’s the one who wrote the paperwork provided to her.

Elijah sought medical treatment after the incident and has since recovered. Bright mentions that the Taser hit him in the back of his right arm, and he stated, “it’s painful.”

We did reach out to the City and provided them a link to review the video for comment, but we have not heard back.

Springfield Leaks has received video, provided by the family, of this incident:

We are told that the Springfield Police Department Internal Affairs has opened an investigation.

Stay tuned to Springfield Leaks for additional updates to this story.

Springfield, Illinois – Springfield Police arrested a passenger of a vehicle after discovering cocaine under the driver’s seat. The passenger, currently on parole with a history of drug and weapon arrests, was taken into custody and later released from the Sangamon County Jail after being granted pre-trial release.

According to Springfield Police, On November 13, 2023, around 10:51 p.m., a black Nissan sedan failed to stop at a stop sign and was pulled over at North Grand Ave and Patton Ave. Police reports indicate that upon approaching the vehicle, the passenger, identified as Jerome C. Henderson, age 28, had his seat reclined back to the point where the back of the front seat was almost touching the bottom part of the back passenger seat. He had his hands up by his head and appeared to be reaching behind the front seats. Jerome also had an open bottle of Hennessy Cognac in the passenger seat.

Due to the open bottle of alcohol, officers searched the vehicle and found a small bag of cannabis on the center console and a small white rock on the floorboard behind the driver’s seat.

Officers state they placed only Jerome in handcuffs due to the way his seat was leaned back, and the suspected cocaine was within his reach.

Police say Jerome was read his Miranda Rights and was willing to talk. Jerome stated he did not know whose cocaine it was and that it was not his. He provided the name of a male who was in the backseat of the vehicle at one point but could not provide further information.

A field test of the suspected cocaine was conducted, and it came back positive for traces of cocaine. It weighed approximately 0.18 grams.

The driver was questioned and asked if she knew about the suspected cocaine in the vehicle; she said that she did not. She mentioned that she was with Jerome from approximately 8:30 p.m. up until the time of the traffic stop. She added that Jerome became drunk during that time and requested her to drive.

Police state that the vehicle that was pulled over belonged to Jerome’s mother, and she arrived on the scene to take the vehicle home.

Jerome was taken to the Sangamon County Jail and charged by the Sangamon County State’s Attorney’s Office with Possession of a Controlled Substance, a class 4 felony. He was granted pre-trial release and is expected to return to court on December 7th at 9:00 a.m.

According to records, Jerome, who is currently on parole, received a 10-year sentence for armed robbery in 2018, an 8-year sentence for being a felon in possession/use of a firearm, 33 months in 2016 for possession of a controlled substance, and 8 years in 2014 for aggravated robbery, indicating he was armed with a firearm.

Chatham, Illinois – Following our article, “Chatham Man Arrested and Charged After Beating His Wife,” his employer has released a statement to the public, announcing that he is no longer employed with them.

Benjamin Russell Felber, 42, was arrested on November 3, 2023, in Chatham, Illinois, after his wife called the police and informed them that he “had been beating the shit out of her.” Benjamin was taken to the Sangamon County Jail after Chatham Police Officers recorded her statement and took photographs of her injuries, revealing bruising, swelling, and open lacerations on her face, as well as bruising on her neck.

Benjamin’s now-former employer released the following statement regarding his employment: “Recently there was a post on Springfield Leaks. We are a family oriented business, that does not condone any type of violence. We take these matters seriously & have decided to part ways with an employee who is the subject of a recent article on social media. We take pride in our staff & our work, to deliver the best service to you, our valued customers. Thank you for your continued support. We look forward to serving your needs in the future.”

According to Deep Roots Lawn Care & Landscaping, they have been receiving numerous calls because of the article.

After Benjamin’s arrest for Aggravated Domestic Battery, a class 2 felony, he was granted pre-trial release. Records show that back in August, Benjamin was arrested by Chatham Police for Domestic Battery, and he pleaded guilty, receiving one-year probation.

Benjamin is expected to be back in court on November 30, 2023.

Click here to read our previous article – Chatham Man Arrested and Charged After Beating His Wife

Chatham, Illinois – A Chatham man was arrested and charged by the Sangamon County State’s Attorney’s Office after he was arrested by Chatham Police for Aggravated Domestic Battery. The man’s wife told police her husband “had been beating the shit out of her.”

On November 3, 2023, Officer Brachear, during field training with Officer Munch, responded to a dispatch regarding a fight at 1 Southgate. Upon arrival, they found the victim sitting on the steps outside a trailer with visible injuries, including bruising, swelling, and open lacerations on her face, as well as bruising on her neck.

When questioned, the victim told police that her husband, Benjamin F. Felber, aged 42, “had been beating the shit out of her.” Officer Brachear entered the residence to locate Benjamin, who came from the hallway holding a THC vape pen. Benjamin was handcuffed, and Officer Brachear reported noticing red marks on Benjamin’s knuckles. When questioned about the marks, Benjamin claimed they occurred from his work as a lawn maintenance employee. Officer Brachear then read Benjamin his Miranda rights and asked him about the incident. Benjamin told Officer Brachear that there was some verbal arguments that stemmed from his wife’s use of aerosol cans for “whip-its.”

Officer Harris spoke with the victim and took her statement. The victim stated that her husband, Benjamin, had beaten her over a duster can and that he had been beating her almost every day for the past month. Just before she called 911, Benjamin repeatedly hit her in the face. She stated that Benjamin had placed his hands around her neck and choked her until she passed out two days prior. Officer Harris noted that the victim had noticeable bruises and marks all around her face, neck, and a fresh bruise just under her left eye.

Benjamin was taken to the Sangamon County Jail and charged by the Sangamon County State’s Attorney’s Office with Aggravated Domestic Battery, a class 2 felony, and Domestic Battery, a class 4 felony. He was granted pre-trial release and is expected to return to court on November 30, 2023.

Back in August, records show that Benjamin was arrested by Chatham Police for Domestic Battery. He pleaded guilty and received a one-year probation sentence.

Multiple law enforcement agencies in Springfield, Illinois, conducted raids last week on Tuesday, November 7, 2023. The Sangamon County Sheriff’s Office led the investigation, supported by additional law enforcement agencies. As of now, there is no official statement from the Sangamon County Sheriff’s Office regarding the arrests. However, the list of individuals who were arrested, along with their release or detention status until trial, is provided below:

Randy L. Rexroad – (Pre-Trial Release) Meth Delivery 15 but less than 100 Grams (Class X Felony)

Jarvin T. White – (Pre-Trial Hold) Meth Delivery 15 but less than 100 Grams (Class X Felony)

Brent A. McClanahan – (Pre-Trial Hold) 2 counts of Meth Delivery 15 but less than 100 Grams (Class X Felony) & Manufacturing / Delivery of Meth (Class 2 Felony)

Phillip D. Pogue – (Pre-Trial Release) Manufacturing/Delivery of 15 but less than 100 Grams of Cocaine (Class X Felony) & Manufacturing/Delivery of Meth (Class 2 Felony)

Chadrick J. Jackson – (Pre-Trial Release) Manufacturing/Delivery 15 but less than 100 Grams (Class X Felony)

Zachary M. Brown – (Pre-Trial Release) Meth Delivery 5 but less than 15 Grams (Class 1 Felony)

Robert J. Buckley – (Pre-Trial Release) Meth Delivery 5 but less than 15 Grams (Class 1 Felony) & Manufacturing / Delivery of Meth (Class 2 Felony)

Warren G. Payne Jr – (Pre-Trial Hold) Meth Delivery 15 but less than 100 Grams (Class X Felony) & Manufacturing Delivery of Meth (Class 2 Felony) & Unlawful Sale / Delivery of Firearm (Class 4 Felony)

Jeremy D. Banks – (Pre-Trial Hold) 2 counts of Armed Habitual Criminal (Class X Felony) & 2 counts of Unlawful Sale / Delivery of a Firearm (Class 4 Felony)

Thomas D. Davis – (Pre-Trial Hold) Manufacturing / Delivery 1 but less than 15 Grams of Cocaine (Class 1 Felony) & 3 counts of Manufacturing / Delivery of a Controlled Substance

Bret M. Capella – (Pre-Trial Hold) Manufacturing / Delivery of Meth (Class X Felony)

Christopher A. Gentry – (Pre-Trial Hold) Manufacturing / Delivery of Meth (Class X Felony)

Rhonda J. Shanks – (No Custody Information Available at the moment) Manufacturing / Delivery of Meth (Class X Felony)

Brandi R. Shabazz – (Pre-Trial Hold) Manufacturing / Delivery of Meth (Class X Felony) & Manufacturing / Delivery of Meth (Class 2 Felony)

Angela L. Gonzalez – (Pre-Trial Hold) Manufacturing / Delivery of Meth (Class X Felony)

Darius K. Billops – (Pre-Trial Release) Meth Delivery 5 but less than 15 Grams (Class 1 Felony)

Terrance L. Davis – (Pre-Trial Release) Unlawful Sale / Delivery of a Firearm (Class 4 Felony)

Lynnikia V. Rice – (Pre-Trial Release) Unlawful Sale / Delivery of a Firearm (Class 4 Felony)

Thomas D. Davis – (Pre-Trial Hold) Manufacturing / Delivery Less than 15 grams of Cocaine (Class 1 Felony) & Manufacturing / Delivery of a Controlled Substance (Class 1 Felony) & Manufacturing / Delivery of a Controlled Substance (Class X Felony) & Manufacturing / Delivery of a Controlled Substance (Class 1 Felony)

Brandon Mason – (Pre-Trial Hold) Manufacturing / Delivery of Meth (Class X Felony)

Jamaal R. White – (Pre-Trial Release) Manufacturing / Delivery of a Controlled Substance (Class 1 Felony)

Latayveon L. Wells – (Pre-Trial Hold) Manufacturing / Delivery of Meth (Class X Felony) & Meth Delivery – Less than 5 Grams (Class X Felony)