Peoria County State's Attorney Jodi M. Hoos

Peoria County State's Attorney Jodi M. Hoos This is the official page for the Peoria County State’s Attorney's Office. Our social media sites are not monitored 24/7.

DIGITAL POLICY:

Updated and Posted December 12, 2023
Many Peoria County offices have official social media accounts, and all fall under this general Peoria County policy unless otherwise stated. Peoria County endeavors to post this policy on all accounts where applicable. However, for social media platforms where it is difficult to post a full policy, Peoria County will link to this page, which s

erves as the posting. Please call or text 911 in an emergency. The intent of official Peoria County social media accounts is to serve as a communications tool between Peoria County departments and the public. Peoria County communications department staff and/or specific department personnel associated with the social media account are the sole administrators of our sites. This social media policy includes Terms of Use, Prohibited Content, and Disclaimers. Terms of Use
As a communications tool, Peoria County shall utilize its various social media accounts to raise awareness among Peoria County and neighboring residents and visitors, community partners, and interested fans and followers of the County's offices. These sites may include, but are not limited to, Facebook, Instagram, Nextdoor, LinkedIn, YouTube, Threads, and Twitter/X. Social media sites grant Peoria County an additional opportunity to share messages with the public. The public is encouraged to share comments, ideas, and concerns. Peoria County's social media sites shall comply with all applicable County of Peoria policies and procedures. Note that information, including personally identifiable information, that public members voluntarily submit to or publish on a Peoria County page of a third-party site may be treated as public information. Peoria County reserves the right to edit or delete its own content for want of clarity, addition of information, correction of typographical fault, correction of scrivener’s error, or other relative circumstances. Peoria County Digital Policy – updated 12-12-2023
Peoria County staff shall be the sole determining party when it comes to the ex*****on of this policy. This policy is not intended to supersede the policies of third-party hosts, however, but is intended to supplement the platforms’ expectations. Prohibited Content
The intended purpose of Peoria County's social media sites is to serve as one of multiple vehicles of communication between Peoria County and the public. Prohibited information, posts, tagged content, messages, photos, videos, graphics, and comments shall not be allowed and may be removed from the site. Subsequent prohibited posts by an individual will lead to that individual being blocked from the site. Such content includes the following:
1. Content that promotes, fosters, or perpetuates illegal discrimination of protected status under the law.
2. Obscene content or links to obscene content
3. Violent content or links to violent content or information that may compromise the safety and security of the public or public systems
4. Solicitations of funds, commercial promotions, or advertising
5. Content that violates a legal ownership interest of any other party (such as copyrighted materials, art, or other intellectual property)
6. Personal information including but not limited to e-mail addresses, telephone numbers, mailing addresses, medical information, identification numbers, passwords, or other personally identifiable information (PII)
7. Content containing links to malware, viruses, and/or malicious content that affects the normal functioning of a computer system, server, or browser
8. Defaming content or comments that are patently false assertions of facts
Compliance
Peoria County's social media sites are subject to the Local Records Retention Act. Social media content is considered Administrative Files under the County’s records retention schedule and has a 1-year retention policy. Disclaimer
Peoria County is not responsible or liable for any user materials or content posted in violation of this policy. Peoria County shall make reasonable efforts to remove said materials during
Peoria County Digital Policy – updated 12-12-2023
business hours but disclaims liability if circumstances exist that prevent or hinder efforts to remove said materials, including if the amount of discussion becomes an undue burden to monitor or the timeliness of the comments are no longer relevant. Peoria County does not endorse nor otherwise support or sponsor any advertising that may be posted by a social media platform on our pages. Peoria County following another page also does not necessitate support nor endorsement. The views expressed by members of the public on official pages maintained by Peoria County on third-party social media websites and applications do not reflect the official views of the Peoria County government nor does Peoria County guarantee the accuracy of such information posted by members of the public on those websites. Social media platforms are privately operated, and the terms and conditions of individual platforms apply as governed by the platform itself. Peoria County does not guarantee the reliability or accuracy of any third‐party links. Peoria County reserves the right to remove, at its discretion, any comment or conversation that is prohibited by this Digital Policy.

📊 Weekly Criminal Justice Snapshot: Aug. 5 - 11, 2026A total of 118 criminal charges were filed, including felonies, mis...
08/12/2026

📊 Weekly Criminal Justice Snapshot: Aug. 5 - 11, 2026

A total of 118 criminal charges were filed, including felonies, misdemeanors, juvenile delinquency, and misdemeanor traffic offenses.

Highlights:
67% of detention petitions granted, 12 battery offenses charged, including 4 for domestic battery, 9 theft offenses, and 8 DUI offenses were charged.

08/07/2026

Today, we say goodbye to our 2026 summer law clerks, but we have a feeling this isn't the end of the story.

Over the past several weeks, they've been in the courtroom, learning from our prosecutors, conducting research, asking questions, and gaining a firsthand understanding of what it means to pursue justice.

Thank you for your hard work, curiosity, and the energy you brought to the office. We wish each of you the best as you head back to law school.

Who knows? Maybe someday we will see you again in our office, but not as law clerks, but as Assistant State's Attorneys.

Until the... that's a wrap. 🎬⚖️

At first glance, it's just a pile of Squishmallows. Look closer... you'll find Facility Dog Feta! 🐶🐾💜Thank you to a thou...
08/05/2026

At first glance, it's just a pile of Squishmallows. Look closer... you'll find Facility Dog Feta! 🐶🐾💜

Thank you to a thoughtful Bradley University student for this generous donation to the Children's Advocacy Center (CAC). These cozy companions will help make a difficult day a little easier for the children we serve.

We appreciate everyone who keeps supporting the CAC through donations. Each act of kindness helps us build a place where children can feel safe and comfortable.

Sometimes a simple traffic stop turns into a much bigger problem...Last September, a driver was pulled over by Illinois ...
08/04/2026

Sometimes a simple traffic stop turns into a much bigger problem...

Last September, a driver was pulled over by Illinois State Police. He told the trooper he didn't have his ID and gave his brother's name and date of birth instead. The traffic citations were issued under his brother's identity.

Months later, the real brother contacted our office from Minnesota after discovering the tickets in his name. He couldn't make the trip to Peoria for court, so our Traffic Assistant State's Attorneys came up with a plan.

On the court date, the driver appeared in person, still pretending to be his brother. At the same time, the real brother joined the hearing by Zoom from Minnesota.

The judge asked the man standing in court to identify himself. He again gave his brother's name. Then the judge asked the person on Zoom to identify himself. That’s when things got awkward, and the truth came out.

The original tickets were dismissed and reissued in the driver's actual name. But the story didn't end there. His decision to lie also resulted in a felony charge for Obstructing Justice, which was recently indicted by the grand jury.

Moral of the story: What started as a traffic case ended with a felony indictment. Honesty really is the easier option.

Join us in congratulating Assistant State's Attorney Deb Shelby and our 711 Summer Law Clerk Noel Omeji on a recent guil...
08/03/2026

Join us in congratulating Assistant State's Attorney Deb Shelby and our 711 Summer Law Clerk Noel Omeji on a recent guilty verdict in a residential arson case.

On May 7, 2026, officers responded to a home on W Martin Luther King Drive to assist a woman who had recently obtained an order of protection against the defendant, who also lived there. The court granted her possession of the home, but she was temporarily staying with a friend until the defendant moved. As she tried to get some of her belongings and her dog from the home, the defendant set it on fire with officers present. The fire department successfully put out the fire. The dog was rescued safely, and no one was injured, but the property still sustained damage.

This conviction reflects the work of an entire team. In addition to leading the prosecution, Deb provided Noel with the opportunity to gain invaluable courtroom experience. Our investigators helped ensure the victim could safely get to court, our victim advocate provided support throughout the legal process, and Facility Dog Kiwi was there to offer comfort every step of the way.

Behind every conviction is a team committed to supporting victims and holding offenders accountable.

One team. One mission. 💙💛Once again members of the Peoria County State’s Attorney’s Office joined the Peoria Police Depa...
08/02/2026

One team. One mission. 💙💛

Once again members of the Peoria County State’s Attorney’s Office joined the Peoria Police Department team for the St. Jude Run.

We are proud to be part of this team and its commitment to supporting the lifesaving mission of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Thank you to every runner, volunteer, donor, first responder, and supporter who helped make this year’s St. Jude Run another safe and incredible success.

07/31/2026

When the “finally Friday” feeling strikes… run into the weekend like Facility Dogs Kiwi and Feta! 🐾💙

DEFENDANT RECEIVES 50 YEARS IN PRISON FOR MURDERJuly 30, 2026, Peoria, IL – Today, Judge Stephen Kouri sentenced Javier ...
07/30/2026

DEFENDANT RECEIVES 50 YEARS IN PRISON FOR MURDER

July 30, 2026, Peoria, IL – Today, Judge Stephen Kouri sentenced Javier S. McGhee, 23, to 50 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections for the March 2024 murder of 27-year-old Trashawn W. Morris. During sentencing, Assistant State’s Attorneys Brenda McCavitt and Jason Ramos summarized the case as three knocks, six seconds, and one life lost, as they requested a lengthy prison sentence.

During the hearing, Morris’s cousin spoke on behalf of the family, describing Morris as having bright, joyful energy and being unfairly taken from them. She said their loss was overwhelming and paralyzing. Their family was supposed to have a lifetime to go through life together and share moments, but instead, they are left with the devastation of losing him. She told the court that the defendant didn’t just end Morris’s life; he stole his future.

On March 23, 2024, around 10:30 p.m., officers responded to the Lexington Hills Apartment Complex for a male who had been shot. When they arrived, officers found Morris unresponsive with a gunshot wound to his chest. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

At trial, the defendant claimed he acted in self-defense after Morris pounded on his door and believed he was trying to force his way inside. Doorbell camera audio captured Morris pounding on the door three times and yelling, “I told you to stop texting me,” before the defendant opened the door and fired a single shot. The entire encounter lasted six seconds. There was no damage to the door or evidence of forced entry, and Morris was not in close range to the defendant when he was shot. The defendant then fled the scene.
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JUDGE FOUND DEFENDANT GUILTY OF MURDER, THEN CHANGED HIS MINDJuly 29, 2026, Peoria, IL – In an unprecedented move, Judge...
07/29/2026

JUDGE FOUND DEFENDANT GUILTY OF MURDER, THEN CHANGED HIS MIND

July 29, 2026, Peoria, IL – In an unprecedented move, Judge Stephen Kouri, despite previously finding the defendant guilty of murder in a bench trial last year, changed that decision to involuntary manslaughter before sentencing was held today, over the State’s objection. He then sentenced David H. Stone, 42, to 10 years in prison on the manslaughter charge. Under Judge Kouri’s original decision, Stone would have faced up to 75 years in prison.

Stone was initially convicted by Judge Kouri of First-Degree Murder after a bench trial in October 2025 for his role in the shooting death of Arlin Bermudez-Castellon in January 2024. Castellon, 34, was shot seven times, with most of those shots in his back. Although Stone did not fire the fatal shots, he was found guilty of murder under Illinois’ accountability law because he participated in the shooting death with the co-defendant, Mickael Williams. Stone was trying to collect money that Castellon owed him and had brought Williams along to help. They were both armed with guns.

On January 4, 2024, police responded to a shooting in the 200 block of E. Thrush in Peoria’s East Bluff. Upon arrival, officers found Castellon suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. He was later pronounced dead at the hospital.

During the trial, prosecutors played jail phone calls where Stone admitted to being at the scene with Williams to collect money that Castellon owed him. The situation escalated, and Williams shot and killed Castellon. The State also presented text messages from Stone threatening Castellon the day before his murder, along with surveillance footage from a local business, which showed Stone picking up Williams before the murder, and fleeing the scene together after.

Williams has also been charged with first-degree murder. His case remains pending, and he is in custody at the Peoria County Jail.
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📊 Weekly Criminal Justice Snapshot: July 22 - 28, 2026A total of 152 criminal charges were filed, including felonies, mi...
07/29/2026

📊 Weekly Criminal Justice Snapshot: July 22 - 28, 2026

A total of 152 criminal charges were filed, including felonies, misdemeanors, juvenile delinquency, and misdemeanor traffic offenses.

Highlights:
71% of detention petitions granted, 27 battery offenses charged, including 14 for domestic battery, 12 theft offenses, and 14 DUI offenses were charged.

Address

324 Main Street, Room 111
Peoria, IL
61602

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 4:30pm
Tuesday 9am - 4:30pm
Wednesday 9am - 4:30pm
Thursday 9am - 4:30pm
Friday 9am - 4:30pm

Telephone

+13096726900

Website

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