PAXTON — The Paxton Police Department released the following list of recent activity:
Jerome S. Burkes, 33, of Paxton.
— Jerome S. Burkes, 33, of Paxton, was arrested on a Ford County warrant for aggravated battery on Wednesday, Dec. 11, following the execution of a search warrant around 10 p.m. at his home in the 1000 block of South Washington Street. Also arrested, for obstructing justice, was Tabitha A. Jackson, 32, of Rantoul, after she allegedly lied to police. Burkes was also charged with resisting arrest and with criminal damage to state-supported property for allegedly kicking a window and causing damage to the door frame of a police squad car following his arrest. Burkes also may face additional charges after 60 grams of cannabis and other evidence of cannabis distribution were found in his home. The search warrant was executed with assistance of the Ford County Sheriff’s Office and Gibson City Police Department after the U.S. Marshals Service notified Paxton police that Burkes had returned to his home in Paxton. Earlier, a warrant had been issued for Burkes’ arrest in connection with an alleged battery that reportedly occurred around 5:47 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 21, in the 800 block of South High Street. Burkes allegedly battered a person with whom he was in a dating relationship. Burkes allegedly waited outside the person’s apartment and then attacked them when they exited, causing wounds to their face and hands. Burkes then fled the scene on foot to Glen Cemetery, where he entered a vehicle and then drove away. Soon after the alleged battery, a search warrant was executed at Burkes’ home, where police recovered 58.6 grams of cannabis, along with scales and packing materials believed to be used in the distribution of cannabis. A warrant was later issued for Burkes’ arrest, charging him with aggravated battery. While the warrant only listed the one charge, Burkes may face additional charges stemming from November’s incident, including aggravated domestic battery, violation of an order of protection and possession of cannabis with intent to deliver.
Dean G. Lambert, 28, of rural Georgetown.
— Dean G. Lambert, 28, of rural Georgetown, was arrested for solicitation to meet a child, indecent solicitation of a child and sexual exploitation of a child on Monday, Dec. 9, at his residence. The arrest was made as part of the police department’s ongoing online sting targeting child predators. Lambert allegedly began communicating with an undercover officer posing as a 15-year-old girl on Saturday, Nov. 9. Lambert was arrested after search warrants were conducted around 1 p.m. Dec. 9 at his home and in Danville, with assistance from the Danville Police Department and Vermilion County Sheriff’s Office.