A Rock Falls man pleaded guilty to second-degree murder Thursday, May 22, 2025, in Whiteside County Circuit Court, then apologized for fatally stabbing the man, whom he considered a friend.

Mark T. Kelly, 54, of Eldridge, pleaded guilty Monday, May 19, to the charge, which is a Class X felony because he had had at least five previous DUI violations, according to Whiteside County court records.

A Dixon man sentenced to nearly 70 years in prison three months ago for sex-related crimes against a victim younger than 13 says his sentence is excessive and is asking that it be reduced.

Carlos T. Loyola, 27, is charged in Whiteside County with aggravated battery causing great bodily harm and aggravated domestic battery.

Prosecutors allege the offenses occurred between January and April 2023. The predatory criminal sexual assault charges are Class X felonies that carry possible prison sentences of up to 60 years.

It will be at least another eight months before an Ogle County jury decides the fate of a Stillman Valley man who is charged with killing his ex-wife in 2016 and then setting her Byron home on fire, also resulting in the death of their 3-year-old son.

A Lee County judge decided Wednesday to permit the pretrial release of a Rock Falls man accused of a felony sex crime against a minor with conditions which include electronic monitoring and home confinement.

Just one day before Kyle Cooper was set to be tried on a first-degree murder charge in a Rock Falls stabbing case, attorneys announced they’ve reached a tentative plea agreement.

Jared Babler, 28, was charged in connection with an April 15 incident.