A former Tallula man who has been jailed since early 2013 on aggravated criminal sexual abuse charges has gotten prison time.
Fifty-five-year-old Charles Hinds pleaded guilty in Morgan County Court yesterday afternoon and received a sentence of five-and-a-half years in the Illinois Department of Corrections.
Hinds was arrested in February 2013 after Jacksonville Police said he admitted to touching a child in Morgan County between the ages of 12 and 16 in an inappropriate manner on numerous occasions.
Hinds was given credit for 1,048 days served in Morgan County Jail.
Morgan County State’s Attorney Bobby Bonjean says this was a case that took a long time to get a resolution.
“The defense proceeded on a motion to suppress. It took a long time, probably longer than any other case I’ve dealt with, for the defense attorney to try to get the information necessary from the psychologist that was retained,” says Bonjean.
“And the court and the defense attorney kind of had issues getting what they needed from the psychologist in getting his report to us, ultimately having the hearing on the motion to suppress, that was ultimately denied, which obviously allowed us the ability, if it went to trial to introduce certain evidence,” he continues.
Bonjean added Hinds’ mental capacity was an issue.
“I think Mr. Hinds is of a moderate IQ level. He can’t read and write. I think he indicated to the court this afternoon that he only went to the seventh or eight grade. So, that was an issue that the defense was trying to focus on, and trying to suppress the statements that he had made to the detective, and that when his Miranda warnings were read to him, he didn’t understand them,” Bonjean explains.
“But, based on our research and the evidence, we were able to argue against that, and obviously the court ruled in the state’s favor by denying the motion.”
Charges of predatory criminal sexual assault and a secondary aggravated criminal sexual abuse charge were dropped as part of the plea deal. Hinds must also serve two years of Mandatory Supervised Release.