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.
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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.

CHARGES FILED IN KILLING OF TWO MENAugust 28, 2026, Peoria, IL – Prosecutors successfully argued for the detention of Ka...
08/28/2026

CHARGES FILED IN KILLING OF TWO MEN

August 28, 2026, Peoria, IL – Prosecutors successfully argued for the detention of Karon Hopkins, 20, who is accused of a deadly shooting and fatal car crash that killed two men this past weekend in Peoria. Hopkins was charged today with First-Degree Murder for the shooting incident and Reckless Homicide for the subsequent car crash.

On Saturday, August 22, 2026, at 2:45 a.m., Peoria Police officers were near Vibes nightclub when they heard shots fired. As they approached the nightclub, they saw a white sedan fleeing the area. As that vehicle fled from police, it reached speeds of over 90 miles per hour in a residential neighborhood. It eventually struck and killed a pedestrian, 52-year-old Gary L. Traylor, before it crashed into a utility pole on Western Avenue. Hopkins and another individual, Dorrean Ellis, 18, were in the sedan when it crashed. Ellis remains hospitalized. At the scene of the nightclub shooting, officers found 26-year-old Malik Pickett with multiple gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead at the hospital. He was shot more than 10 times.

During Hopkins’s detention hearing, Assistant State’s Attorney Terry Muench played surveillance footage of both the shooting and the car crash. The footage showed a white sedan abruptly stop in the road outside the nightclub where several people were gathered. A man later identified as Hopkins got out of the sedan and ran up to Pickett, firing his gun multiple times. As Pickett lay on the ground, Hopkins stood over him and continued to shoot him. Hopkins then got back into the white sedan and sped off. The fleeing sedan sped down Howett Street and ran through a red light at Western Avenue, where it struck and killed Traylor, who was walking across the street. The sedan was traveling at such a high rate of speed that it severed Traylor’s body. Police recovered two fi****ms from the crashed sedan that matched shell casings from the shooting.

This investigation is ongoing, and more charges are expected. If you have information about this incident, please contact the Peoria Police Department at 309-673-4521.
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TEEN SENTENCED TO 25 YEARS FOR SHOOTINGAugust 28, 2026, Peoria, IL – Today, Naidren Williams, 17, was sentenced to 25 ye...
08/28/2026

TEEN SENTENCED TO 25 YEARS FOR SHOOTING

August 28, 2026, Peoria, IL – Today, Naidren Williams, 17, was sentenced to 25 years in prison for shooting a man in August 2024. The victim survived after being shot three times, including once in the head. Williams, who has no prior criminal history, was transferred to adult court in February 2025 and pleaded guilty to Aggravated Battery with a Firearm in June 2026.

Assistant State’s Attorney Dave Gast argued for the maximum sentence permitted under the plea agreement, 28 years. Gast noted that, because of Williams's age, Illinois law already provides leniency by making him eligible for parole after 10 years.

In handing down the sentence, Chief Judge Katherine Gorman noted Williams's age at the time of the shooting, 15, but added: “You are a kid with a gun and you could have killed someone.” She added that she has seen young men with guns in her courtroom all too often, and that such conduct must be deterred.

Around 7:30 p.m. on August 20, 2024, officers responded to a reported shooting in the 2700 block of W. Wyoming in South Peoria. Upon arrival, officers found the victim lying in the alley with multiple gunshot wounds. The victim identified Williams as the shooter.

While executing a search warrant at Williams’s home, officers recovered a gun. Shell casings from that gun matched those recovered from the shooting.
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📊 Weekly Criminal Justice Snapshot: Aug. 19 - 25, 2026A total of 115 criminal charges were filed, including felonies, mi...
08/27/2026

📊 Weekly Criminal Justice Snapshot: Aug. 19 - 25, 2026

A total of 115 criminal charges were filed, including felonies, misdemeanors, juvenile delinquency, and misdemeanor traffic offenses.

Highlights:
100% of detention petitions granted, 14 battery offenses charged, including 5 for domestic battery, 10 weapons offenses, and 8 drug offenses.

🐾 Happy National Dog Day! 🐾We’re celebrating Kiwi & Feta today, and what better way than to remind you that these two ar...
08/26/2026

🐾 Happy National Dog Day! 🐾

We’re celebrating Kiwi & Feta today, and what better way than to remind you that these two are ready to hit the road! 🐶🐶

Kiwi & Feta are now scheduling visits to area schools. They love meeting students, spreading some smiles and showing everyone what our facility dogs are all about. 💙

Want Kiwi & Feta to visit your school? Email [email protected] or call 309.672.6900 to schedule a visit!

STATE'S ATTORNEY'S OFFICE ANNOUNCES FINDINGS AFTER MAY 8 OFFICER-INVOLVED SHOOTINGPeoria County State’s Attorney Jodi Ho...
08/26/2026

STATE'S ATTORNEY'S OFFICE ANNOUNCES FINDINGS AFTER MAY 8 OFFICER-INVOLVED SHOOTING

Peoria County State’s Attorney Jodi Hoos has reviewed the facts of the officer-involved shooting that took place in downtown Peoria on May 8, 2026, and took the life of Cortez White. Mr. White shot his ex-girlfriend, Ashley Stenson, right in front of the police officer and then pointed his gun at the officer, resulting in a justified use of deadly force by the officer.

READ THE FULL REPORT HERE: https://tinyurl.com/39xec4r4

BABYSITTER DETAINED FOR PHYSICALLY ABUSING INFANTAugust 24, 2026, Peoria, IL – Prosecutors successfully argued for the d...
08/24/2026

BABYSITTER DETAINED FOR PHYSICALLY ABUSING INFANT

August 24, 2026, Peoria, IL – Prosecutors successfully argued for the detention of a man accused of physically abusing a two-month-old child left in his care. Kamar N. Crabb, 19, was charged with Aggravated Battery for allegedly causing severe injuries to the child, including a fractured upper arm and forearm and multiple brain bleeds.

On January 13, 2026, Peoria Police received a report from DCFS regarding a child with severe injuries.

During the investigation, officers interviewed the child’s mother, who changed her story multiple times before finally stating that she left the child alone with Crabb. She said she was at an appointment when she received a call from Crabb, who said the child fell off the couch because of the dog.

A doctor from the Pediatric Resource Center evaluated the child and determined that the injuries were non-accidental and could not have resulted from falling off a couch.

Crabb had been in custody on a Macon County case and was only recently arrested on this matter.

This investigation is ongoing. If you have information about this incident, please contact the Peoria Police Department at 309-673-4521.
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YOUTH SPORTS COACH PLEAD GUILTY TO PREDATORY CRIMINAL SEXUAL ASSAULTAugust 20, 2026, Peoria, IL – Today, prosecutors sec...
08/20/2026

YOUTH SPORTS COACH PLEAD GUILTY TO PREDATORY CRIMINAL SEXUAL ASSAULT

August 20, 2026, Peoria, IL – Today, prosecutors secured a guilty plea from Aydan Trueblood, 23, to Predatory Criminal Sexual Assault stemming from the sexual assault of a minor female last year. In exchange for his guilty plea, the State agreed to a maximum possible prison sentence of 30 years.

On November 9, 2025, Bartonville police received a tip that Trueblood, who coached a youth sports program the victim participated in, had inappropriate conduct with the minor earlier that year.

On November 14, investigators conducted a forensic interview at the Children’s Advocacy Center. The victim disclosed that she and Trueblood communicated via Snapchat and that she had snuck out of her home to meet him. Trueblood drove her to his parents' home, where the assault occurred.

On November 26, police arrested Trueblood. During an interview with detectives, he admitted to committing the assault in February 2025 and to sending explicit photographs to the victim.

Trueblood has been in custody since his arrest and will remain there until sentencing.

Sentencing is set for October 28, 2026.
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📊 Weekly Criminal Justice Snapshot: Aug. 12 - 18, 2026A total of 115 criminal charges were filed, including felonies, mi...
08/19/2026

📊 Weekly Criminal Justice Snapshot: Aug. 12 - 18, 2026

A total of 115 criminal charges were filed, including felonies, misdemeanors, juvenile delinquency, and misdemeanor traffic offenses.

Highlights:
100% of detention petitions granted, 16 battery offenses charged, including 3 for domestic battery, 9 drug offenses, and 7 theft offenses were charged.

👏 Congratulations to our Domestic Violence Division on the outstanding team effort that secured guilty verdicts against ...
08/18/2026

👏 Congratulations to our Domestic Violence Division on the outstanding team effort that secured guilty verdicts against Walter Bradford.

The case stems from a February 2025 incident involving Bradford and his former girlfriend. She was working on a client’s hair at her salon when Bradford arrived unexpectedly and began violently banging on the front door. Peoria Police officers responded, but Bradford entered the salon through a back door.

While officers were still on scene, they saw Bradford’s former girlfriend run from the salon, screaming, with Bradford behind her, grabbing her. Officers ordered Bradford to stop, but he refused to comply and had to be tased.

Behind every conviction is a team working toward justice. In this case, that team includes Assistant State’s Attorneys Katie Moushon and Garrison Allen, Domestic Violence Investigator Ruth Sandoval, Family Justice Center Victim Advocate Shelby, Legal Assistant Lucy, and Facility Dog Kiwi! 🐾 We are grateful for our partnership with the Peoria Police Department and the important role they played in this case.

08/13/2026

🎶 A B C, as easy as 1, 2, 3! 🐾📚

School is back across Peoria County, and Kiwi & Feta are ready to wish all of our students, teachers and school staff a happy, safe and successful school year!

And if your school would like a visit from these two, they’re ready to report for duty. 🐾🎒

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

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