CASE NO. 07-CF-907

left to right:

Daniel Cox, 20: David Crady, 19: Ryan Johnson, 22: Nicholas Mentgen, 21

 

 

CASE SYNOPSIS:  On Sunday, August 12, 2007, 19 year old Sheridan Dahlquist succumbed to smoke inhalation during a house fire in the 2000 block of W. Laura Avenue, West Peoria.  The fire was the result of a prank gone bad when the listed defendants (Cox, Crady, Johnson and Mentgen) detonated roman candles under the bedroom door of a sleeping Dahlquist.  The group reported their actions as a prank but the prank went horribly wrong when Dahlquist did not exit his bedroom and it became engulfed with smoke and fire.  Dahlquist did not make it out of his bedroom alive. All four defendants were friends of Dahlquist. All but Cox were roommates with Dahlquist and attended Bradley University and participated on Bradley's soccer team.

 

All four defendants have been charged with three counts of Aggravated Arson, one count of Possession of an Explosive or Incendiary Device and one count of Residential Arson.  Bond for each defendant was set at $500,000. AlI are currently out of jail after each posted $50,000 bond. If convicted, the defendants face up to 30 years in prison.

 

Wednesday, January 23, 2008 - After a plea agreement on today's date, the defendants plead guilty to Involuntary Manslaughter. As part of the plea agreement the Aggravated Arson charges, Possession of an Explosive or Incendiary Device and Residential Arson charge were dismissed. The defendants each received 6 months in jail, 30 months probation and are required to pay $5,119.25 restitution. Read the Factual Basis of the case.

 

CASE STATUS:

 

DANIEL COX

 

Schedule of Events:

David crady

 

Schedule of Events:

 

RYAN JOHNSON

 

Schedule of Events:

 

NICHOLAS MENTGEN

 

Schedule of Events:

Peoria County Courthouse, 324 Main Street, Courtroom 213, Honorable Richard E. Grawey presiding.

 

Victim:           

Sheridan Dahlquist

 

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