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So long, Casper
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| THE LAST LEG of the journey to the Illinois Department of Corrections started early this morning for Robert Steven Siverly from the Edgar County Jail. Edgar County Sheriff Tim Crippes and Deputy Roger Hopper guarded the man who had remained a fugitive from justice for four years. Siverly has a 22-year sentence in DOC, which may be extended by several years depending on the resolution of a felony escape charge. (Beacon-News Photo/Gary Henry) |
By GARY HENRY
Staff Writer
After a four-year absence, fugitive Robert Steven Siverly was back in the Edgar County Jail for a brief stay.
Siverly, 47, formerly of Marshall, departed from the jail early this morning, guarded by Edgar County Sheriff Tim Crippes and Deputy Roger Hopper, to start a 22-year prison sentence. Service of the sentence was delayed by almost four years because Siverly escaped from the jail on Aug. 14, 2004, by scaling a chain link fence in the exercise yard and getting by a strand of razor wire.
Diligent work by Paris Police Detective Terry Rogers located Siverly, who was living under a false name in Nevada, earlier this summer. Siverly was arrested in Nevada by U.S. Marshals based upon the information Rogers uncovered.
Rogers and Deputy Sheriff Adam Rhoads made the trip to Nevada and returned Siverly to the jail this weekend.
Siverly’s escape actually preceded his trial in a felony methamphetamine case.
The trial was conducted in absentia and Siverly was found guilty by a local jury of participation in a criminal drug conspiracy, calculated criminal drug conspiracy and drug related child endangerment.
Testimony at the trial indicated Siverly was a major manufacturer of methamphetamine and had an extended group of people either providing supplies in return for a share of the “cook,” or who sold the drug for him.
Witnesses portrayed Siverly as an individual with an outsize ego who believed his criminal activities were unknown by the local authorities in Edgar and Clark Counties. He wanted his associates to call him by the self-coined street names of “Casper” or “the ghost,” in light of his belief that he was invisible to the police.
A possibility exists that Siverly’s prison time will be extended beyond the 22-year sentence.
He has an Edgar County felony escape charge still pending. If convicted on that charge, any prison time will automatically be added to the original sentence.
Edgar County State’s Attorney Matt Sullivan said last week that Siverly’s escape charge will be dealt with at a future time and the Department of Corrections will transport Siverly back-and-forth for the necessary court appearances.
Siverly, 47, formerly of Marshall, departed from the jail early this morning, guarded by Edgar County Sheriff Tim Crippes and Deputy Roger Hopper, to start a 22-year prison sentence. Service of the sentence was delayed by almost four years because Siverly escaped from the jail on Aug. 14, 2004, by scaling a chain link fence in the exercise yard and getting by a strand of razor wire.
Diligent work by Paris Police Detective Terry Rogers located Siverly, who was living under a false name in Nevada, earlier this summer. Siverly was arrested in Nevada by U.S. Marshals based upon the information Rogers uncovered.
Rogers and Deputy Sheriff Adam Rhoads made the trip to Nevada and returned Siverly to the jail this weekend.
Siverly’s escape actually preceded his trial in a felony methamphetamine case.
The trial was conducted in absentia and Siverly was found guilty by a local jury of participation in a criminal drug conspiracy, calculated criminal drug conspiracy and drug related child endangerment.
Testimony at the trial indicated Siverly was a major manufacturer of methamphetamine and had an extended group of people either providing supplies in return for a share of the “cook,” or who sold the drug for him.
Witnesses portrayed Siverly as an individual with an outsize ego who believed his criminal activities were unknown by the local authorities in Edgar and Clark Counties. He wanted his associates to call him by the self-coined street names of “Casper” or “the ghost,” in light of his belief that he was invisible to the police.
A possibility exists that Siverly’s prison time will be extended beyond the 22-year sentence.
He has an Edgar County felony escape charge still pending. If convicted on that charge, any prison time will automatically be added to the original sentence.
Edgar County State’s Attorney Matt Sullivan said last week that Siverly’s escape charge will be dealt with at a future time and the Department of Corrections will transport Siverly back-and-forth for the necessary court appearances.
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The following are comments from the readers. In no way do they represent the view of parisbeacon.com.
June wrote on Aug 23, 2008 5:00 PM:
" I am just glad he is being watched my Mr. Hopper here. You know, he ran off last time while under Crippes' watch. "
Seriously wrote on Aug 26, 2008 12:54 PM:
" Hey June, did you forget that Mr. Hopper is an employee of Sheriff Crippes? Your implication that he lost the employee doesn't hold water. Clearly Casper wanted to get out bad enough if he was willing to jump the razor wire. Should you think you can do better, how about you run for office next time around? "
June wrote on Aug 26, 2008 3:41 PM:
" Yes...Crippes is sheriff and is ultimately responsible for the loss of the offender...so I do blame him. I do feel that Roger Hopper has a lot of experience and won't let this trash back out on the street, at least not without a strong fight.
I had thought about running for sheriff next time around but I don't feel like I have enough experience. I still can't understand why people of this county could have voted in Crippes (someone who had no law experience...only gas station management experience) over a fine deputy such as Jeff Hodge. Yes he might have been a nice guy and has a large family...but he is not sheriff material. "
I had thought about running for sheriff next time around but I don't feel like I have enough experience. I still can't understand why people of this county could have voted in Crippes (someone who had no law experience...only gas station management experience) over a fine deputy such as Jeff Hodge. Yes he might have been a nice guy and has a large family...but he is not sheriff material. "
Kerrie S wrote on Aug 20, 2008 2:24 PM: