14 counts filed against Vandalia man after crime spree

By Editor | December 28, 2011 |

Sixteen counts of criminal charges have been filed against a Vandalia man who eluded police for more than a day after a crime spree covering a wide area.
Fayette County State’s Attorney Stephen Friedel filed charges against Kenneth J. Weldon, 30, 330 S. Coles St., Vandalia, on Friday, two days after he was taken into custody south of Mulberry Grove.
Weldon appeared in court late last week, with his bond set at $300,000.
The charges filed by Friedel’s office include the following allegations:
• Dec. 19 – The theft of a 2008 Honda all-terrain vehicle. Class 2 felony with Class X sentencing provisions.
• Dec. 20 – Aggravated possession of a stolen firearm. The charge alleges that Weldon, who is not entitled to possess “not less than six and not more than 10 firearms, possessed those firearms at the same time or within a one-year period, with the knowledge that the firearms were stolen. Class X felony.
• Dec. 20 – Residential burglary. The charge alleges that Weldon entered the residence of Ron Cable and Jodi Smith in rural Brownstown with the intent to commit a theft. Class 1 felony with Class X sentencing provisions.
• Dec. 20 – Burglary. The charge alleges that Weldon entered a building owned by Darren Rigdon in rural Brownstown with the intent to commit a theft. Class 2 felony with Class X sentencing provisions.
• Dec. 20 – Burglary. The charge alleges that Weldon entered a building owned by Scott and Amber Brumgardner in rural Brownstown with the intent to commit a theft. Class 2 felony with Class X sentencing provisions.
• Dec. 20 – Burglary. The charge alleges that Weldon entered a building owned by Stacia Holbrook in rural Ramsey with the intent to commit a theft. Class 2 felony with Class X sentencing provisions.
• Dec. 20 – Burglary. The charge alleges that Weldon entered a building owned by Ryan Woolsey in rural Vandalia with the intent to commit a theft. Class 2 felony with Class X sentencing provisions.
• Dec. 20 – Unlawful possession of a stolen vehicle. The charge alleges that Weldon stole a 2006 Chevrolet pickup owned by Wilbert Vaughn. Class 2 felony with Class X sentencing provisions.
• Dec. 20 – Unlawful possession of a stolen vehicle. The charge alleges that Weldon stole a 2004 Chevrolet pickup owned by Carl “Gene” Craig. Class 2 felony with Class X sentencing provisions.
• Dec. 20 – Aggravated domestic battery. The charge alleges that Weldon caused bodily harm to a female, allegedly strangling her. Class 2 felony with Class X sentencing provisions.
• Dec. 20 – Unlawful possession of a weapon by a felon. The charge alleges that Weldon, who has been convicted of a felony offense, possessed a .22-caliber rifle. Class 3 felony punishable by an extended term of up to 10 years.
• Dec. 20 – Unlawful possession of a weapon by a felon. The charge alleges that Weldon, who has been convicted of a felony offense, possessed a 12-gauge, pump-action shotgun. Class 3 felony punishable by an extended term of up to 10 years.
• Dec. 20 – Unlawful possession of a weapon by a felon. The charge alleges that Weldon, who has been convicted of a felony offense, possessed a 12-gauge, pump-action shotgun. Class 3 felony punishable by an extended term of up to 10 years.
• Dec. 20 – Unlawful possession of a weapon by a felon. The charge alleges that Weldon, who has been convicted of a felony offense, possessed a 20-gauge, bolt-action shotgun. Class 3 felony punishable by an extended term of up to 10 years.
• Dec. 20 – Unlawful possession of a weapon by a felon. The charge alleges that Weldon, who has been convicted of a felony offense, possessed a 12-gauge, semi-automatic shotgun. Class 3 felony punishable by an extended term of up to 10 years.
• Dec. 20 – Unlawful possession of a weapon by a felon. The charge alleges that Weldon, who has been convicted of a felony offense, possessed an SKS 7.62-mm rifle. Class 3 felony punishable by an extended term of up to 10 years.
Class 3 felonies are punishable by up to five years in prison, or up to 10 years in prison for individuals eligible for extended terms due to such factors as prior convictions or the circumstances of the offense.
Class X felonies are punishable by up to 30 years in prison, or up to 60 years in prison for individuals eligible for extended terms.
Fayette County Public Defender Ed Potter has been appointed to represent Weldon.