Two Flora Residents Receive Prison Time

Clay County State’s Attorney Phillip M. Givens has announced that Robert S. Murphy, 47, of Flora, Illinois, and Shawna L. Matchett, 45, of Flora, Illinois, were sentenced to time in the Illinois Department of Corrections on July 12, 2023, in Clay County Circuit Court.

Murphy was charged with Burglary, a Class 2 Felony, on January 15, 2021. The charges alleged that Murphy knowingly and without authority entered a garage with the intent to commit a theft. He pled guilty in Court on July 12, 2023, and received a negotiated sentence of 4 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections. Murphy will have a 1-year period of Mandatory Supervised Release. Restitution to the victim in this case was obtained.

Matchett was charged with Theft, a Class 4 Felony, on March 22, 2023. The charges alleged that Matchett, or one whose conduct for which she was legally accounabe, without authority, knowingly obtained control over property belonging to a victim, being miscellanous items having a total value not exceeding $500.00. The Theft was enhanced due to a prior Burglary conviction from 2023. Matchett pled guilty in Court on April 13, 2023. After a contested sentencing hearing on July 12, 2023, Matchett received a sentence of 2 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections. Matchett will have a 6-month period of Mandatory Supervised Release.

The investigations were conducted by the Clay County Sheriff’s Office.

Givens said: “My office will continue to hold people accountable as we work with our law enforcement agencies in protecting our great community.”