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Aurora Man Gets 26 Years For Violent Home Invasion
November 20, 2015
An Aurora man is headed to prison for breaking into a home in the middle of the night, beating one of the residents and stealing cash.
Earnest T. Jeffries, 40 (d.o.b. 3-31-1975), of the 600 block of Liberty Street, Aurora, was sentenced late Thursday, Nov. 19, 2015, by Associate Judge Clint Hull to 26 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections.
Jeffries was convicted Oct. 2, 2015, by a Kane County jury of home invasion, a
Class X felony, armed robbery, a Class X felony, unlawful restraint, a Class 4 felony, and aggravated fleeing and eluding, a Class 4 felony.
Prosecutors presented evidence that at about 3:30 a.m. Aug. 28, 2014, Jeffries and co-defendant Steve Simmons, 41 (d.o.b. 8-9-1974), of Aurora, both masked, forced their way into a residence in the 800 block of Richard Street, Aurora. Two residents who had been sleeping awoke when the back door was kicked in. Jeffries and Simmons immediately began beating the male victim before they tied him up, held him at gunpoint and demanded money. Jeffries and Simmons ransacked the apartment looking for money. They found $2,800 in cash. The male victim freed himself and began to fight with Jeffries and Simmons. The fight continued outside as the female victim called police. Jeffries and Simmons eventually fled in Jeffries’ white Cadillac. Officers responding to the 911 call saw the white Cadillac speeding from the area and began to chase it. At some point Simmons jumped from the car and fled on foot. The car crashed a few blocks later and Jeffries fled on foot. Jeffries was found after police searched the neighborhood. Simmons was identified 10 months later through DNA evidence and taken into custody.
As he issued the sentence, Judge Hull noted the calculated and violent nature of the crime, as well as Jeffries’ criminal history.
Jeffries has prior felony convictions for robbery, unlawful possession of a weapon by a felon, unlawful possession of a controlled substance, attempted criminal sexual assault, violation of the sex offender registry, escape and burglary.
He has previously served six different terms in the penitentiary.
According to Illinois law, Jeffries is eligible for day-for-day sentencing. He receives credit for at least 450 days served in the Kane County jail, where he was held in lieu of $750,000 bail. Bond was revoked upon conviction.
Simmons pleaded guilty Oct. 2, 2015, to home invasion, a Class X felony. He was sentenced to 10 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections.
“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. I’m certain the community is relieved that he is headed to prison, where he belongs.” Kane County State’s Attorney Joe McMahon said.
“Thanks to everyone at the Aurora Police Department for their quick response, as well as their hard and thorough work during this investigation and prosecution, and thanks to Assistant State’s Attorneys Christine Bayer, David Belshan and Joshua Lloyd, who prosecuted this complex case.”
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