Jonesboro woman sentenced on two felony charges

A Union County woman has been sentenced to serve time in prison on two felony charges.

Union County State’s Attorney Tyler R. Edmonds reported Tuesday, Nov. 8, that Liberty K. Batson, 33, of Jonesboro was sentenced to five years in the Illinois Department of Corrections.

Batson was sentenced on charges that included one count of continuing financial crimes enterprise, a Class 1 felony; and aggravated criminal sexual abuse, a Class 2 felony.

Edmonds said Batson originally was charged with continuing financial enterprise in November 2009 after she forged a number of stolen checks.

Batson was sentenced to a term of probation on that charge in March 2010.

Batson’s probation was revoked and she was resentenced Tuesday to a prison term based on her failure to abide by the terms of probation, the state’s attorney reported.

The forgery investigation was conducted by the Union County Sheriff’s Office.

The aggravated criminal sexual abuse charge stems from Batson’s act of sexual conduct with a minor between the ages of 13 and 17 during 2011 at a residence in Jonesboro.

Batson was arrested on the charge Oct. 25 following an investigation by the Jonesboro Police Department.