Ronald Coleman admitted earlier this year that he was driving a semi-truck and trailer carrying over 91 kilograms of cocaine on I-88 in Whiteside County in 2023 while on his way to a warehouse in Chicago, where he was to exchange the cocaine for cash.

Kristophur Johnson was charged June 4, 2024, with sex assault as well as one count of aggravated battery accusing him of pushing a woman to the ground in the 18000 block of Blue Goose Road in rural Morrison and one count of unlawful restraint.

Kyle Cooper, 36, is accused of first-degree murder and two counts of aggravated battery in connection with the Feb. 14 stabbing death of Daniel Gordon, 27, outside of a Rock Falls residence.

Matthew Herpstreith is accused of running over 18-year-old Jackson Kradle on state Route 78 in July 2024 and then trying to cover up any involvement he had in causing the death.

Whiteside County Judge James Heuerman then went one step further by ordering 22-year-old LeAndrew Adams to serve the 15 years consecutively to a 3-year sentence he was given for throwing toilet water at officers in November 2023 while being held in jail for the sex assault case.

A Sterling woman has been fined a combined $3,400 in two separate animal neglect cases in which she was charged with hoarding and neglecting cats.

Derrick Flynn, 42, pleaded guilty Monday, April 14, 2025, in Lee County Circuit Court to aggravated battery causing great bodily harm in connection with an August 2023 fight in which he lacerated a woman's face and chipped and dislodged her teeth.

Brett A. Holcomb, 35, was arrested by Sterling police shortly after 1:30 a.m. Wednesday, April 16, in the 1500 block of West Fourth Street and taken to the Whiteside County Jail, where he remained jailed Thursday.

James L. Ballard’s plea comes less than two months after the state appellate court upheld a Lee County Circuit Court decision to keep Ballard in jail under the Pretrial Fairness Act, known as the SAFE-T Act