Criminal arrested in South Beloit in 2021 will serve 16 years now that he was arrested again

After multiple convictions, Jerry D. Hudgens was sentenced to 16 years in state prison as an Armed Habitual Criminal on February 14, 2025. He wasn't actually in the courtroom, or even in custody at the time. He hadn't shown up for a court hearings in November nor his December 2024 trial. But on May 1, 2025, he was arrested in Chicago for at least the 11th time. Currently the 43-year-old Hudgens is in Cook County Jail under Booking Number 20250501088. Visitation hours are Saturday and Sunday 8 a.m. - 6 p.m. and Monday through Friday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Hudgens' sentence came as a result of the case People of the State of Illinois vs. Jerry D Hudgens, which began on October 22, 2021, when a South Beloit Police officer encountered him at Gardner Street and I-90 for a traffic accident.

According to a news release from the Winnebago County State's Attorney:

The officer found Hudgens standing near a black Ford van, looking at the front tire. While speaking with Hudgens, officers did not understand him and suspected he was under the influence. Hudgens was placed under arrest for Driving Under the Influence. Officials later learned that Hudgens had PCP in his system at the time of the accident. Hudgens also had a loaded firearm in his vehicle.

Hudgens was previously convicted of Armed Robbery and Unlawful Use of a Weapon by a Felon in Cook County, Illinois. But since he was able to come up with a $2,000 bond payment on Oct. 26, 2021, he was released from jail. He did show up for hearings in November 2021 and May 2022. But he forfeited his bond when he didn't come back for a September 2022 hearing. He was on Zoom for a May 2023 hearing because he was in Cook County Jail. He was in court off and on between July 2023 and June 2024. But he often failed to appear.

Before his jury trial in December 2024, a notice was sent to the last address Hudgens gave, Victory Outreach Ministries in Rockford. There was also an outstanding warrant for his arrest. But Hudgens still didn't show up for his trial and Judge Debra Schafer ruled that he could be tried in absentia. Public defender Bradford Morrison did his best to represent him, but Hudgens was convicted of Armed Habitual Criminal, Driving Under the Influence and Improper Lane Use.

The news release continues:

Armed Habitual Criminal is a Class X Felony that is punishable by a sentence of 6-30 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections. Driving Under the Influence is a Class A Misdemeanor that is punishable by up to one year in the Winnebago County Jail.

The South Beloit Police Department conducted the investigation in this case. Assistant State’s Attorneys Andrew Marcum and Emily Palmer handled the prosecution.

After his sentencing, South Beloit Police asked for tips on where to locate him.

In April 2025, Hudgens' conviction was appealed to the Appellate Court Fourth District but if that's unsuccessful, Hudgens will be required to serve 85% of his 16 year sentence, minus 48 days time served. Judge Schafer ruled that he will also be on mandatory supervised release for three years after he is released from prison.