Aurora man gets 7th prison term after 'brazen' home invasion
An Aurora man is headed to prison for the seventh time after being sentenced to 26 years behind bars for a violent home invasion last year.
Earnest T. Jeffries, 40, of the 600 block of Liberty Street, was convicted in October of home invasion, unlawful restraint, armed robbery and aggravated fleeing and eluding.
Prosecutors said Jeffries and another man forced their way into a residence on the 800 block of Richard Street in Aurora at about 3:30 a.m. Aug. 28, 2014. The masked men beat a male resident, tied him up and held him at gunpoint before stealing $2,800, authorities said.
Judge Clint Hull sentenced Jeffries last week, noting the calculated and violent crime as well as Jeffries' criminal history, including felony convictions for robbery, weapons possession by a felon, attempted criminal sexual assault, violation of the sex offender registry, burglary and more.
Jeffries can have his sentence halved for good behavior and gets credit for 450 days served at the Kane County jail.
Jeffries' accomplice, Steven Simmons, 41, of Aurora was sentenced to 10 years prison last month.
“Mr. Jeffries coldly plotted to invade someone's home in the middle of the night. He brought gloves and a mask in a brazen attempt to terrify people in a place where they expect to feel safe and secure,” said State's Attorney Joe McMahon. “I'm certain the community is relieved that he is headed to prison, where he belongs.”
NIU alums best of under 40
Congratulations to two Northern Illinois University College of Law alumni who recently were named as “40 under 40” attorneys by The Chicago Daily Law Bulletin.
Diana M. Law, who graduated in 2004, and Gary C. Pinter, class of 2007, were named to the list from hundreds of nominations based on professional achievements, passion, and a desire to help the community.
Law, a Geneva resident, is a partner of the firm Law ElderLaw, LLP in Aurora, and was appointed by the governor in 2012 as the Kane County Public Guardian and Public Administrator.
Pinter is a resident of Godfrey, Illinois, and practices in a variety of areas of civil tort litigation in both Illinois and Missouri. He is a partner in the Edwardsville office of Heyl Royster P.C.
Helping hand in Elgin
Lawyers from the newly formed Elgin-based Doyen Law Group start at 7:30 a.m. Thursday to deep fry turkeys and prepare seafood gumbo as part of Elgin's Community Thanksgiving Meal at First United Methodist Church, 216 E. Highland Ave. Dinner is 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The Doyen Law Group also made a significant donation to help defray costs of the dinner.
Attorney Kate Doyen will be joined by her father, Mike Doyen, and his son, Christopher Doyen, in the firm in January.
hhitzeman@dailyherald.com