Kenny Meinders Sentenced to 40 Months for Lowpoint Incident
By: Maria Chandler WMBD/WYZZ TV
Updated: August 31, 2012
WOODFORD COUNTY- The man at the center of police controversy in Lowpoint is behind bars this afternoon.
Kenny Meinders, 37, was sentenced today in Woodford County.
He'll serve three years and four months in custody.
He'll also have two years mandatory supervision after his release.
Meinders was convicted in July of disarming an officer, aggravated battery, resisting a police officer and domestic battery against his girlfriend.
All of this stems from an August 2011 incident in which police say Meinders became combative when they were called to the scene of a reported domestic dispute.
Meinders himself asked for probation today in court.
He says his actions during the incident were out of character and he still can't remember what happened.
He said being put away would hurt his family and his ability to support them.
The Woodford County State's Attorney told the judge Meinders' past proves he's dangerous to those he loves and to others.
"Extremely upsetting this entire deal is completely contrary to our clients character. He's a good guy. He doesn't have a past. And as any family would, this is tough. They're gonna see a loved one go to jail for a while. But we'll keep fighting," says Meinders' Attorney Shaun Cusack.
Woodford County State's Attorney Greg Minger added, "I feel it was appropriate, within the range of the sentencing. It was a serious crime and deserving of a significant sentence. I believe justice was served."
Meinders will serve time in the Peoria County Jail rather than Woodford because three officers involved in the Lowpoint incident work in Woodford County Jail.
He'll then move to the Department of Corrections.
He'll get day for day credit and his sentence could be cut in half.
Meantime, the defense says it will appeal.
Kenny Meinders, 37, was sentenced today in Woodford County.
He'll serve three years and four months in custody.
He'll also have two years mandatory supervision after his release.
Meinders was convicted in July of disarming an officer, aggravated battery, resisting a police officer and domestic battery against his girlfriend.
All of this stems from an August 2011 incident in which police say Meinders became combative when they were called to the scene of a reported domestic dispute.
Meinders himself asked for probation today in court.
He says his actions during the incident were out of character and he still can't remember what happened.
He said being put away would hurt his family and his ability to support them.
The Woodford County State's Attorney told the judge Meinders' past proves he's dangerous to those he loves and to others.
"Extremely upsetting this entire deal is completely contrary to our clients character. He's a good guy. He doesn't have a past. And as any family would, this is tough. They're gonna see a loved one go to jail for a while. But we'll keep fighting," says Meinders' Attorney Shaun Cusack.
Woodford County State's Attorney Greg Minger added, "I feel it was appropriate, within the range of the sentencing. It was a serious crime and deserving of a significant sentence. I believe justice was served."
Meinders will serve time in the Peoria County Jail rather than Woodford because three officers involved in the Lowpoint incident work in Woodford County Jail.
He'll then move to the Department of Corrections.
He'll get day for day credit and his sentence could be cut in half.
Meantime, the defense says it will appeal.
