JEFFERSON COUNTY – A 23-year-old Woodlawn man failed to appear for sentencing Thursday morning in Jefferson County court, but even before a warrant was sent out for his arrest, he was taken into custody in Centralia on charges out of Clinton County accusing him of Class X felony home invasion.

Blake Phelps, who pleaded guilty in May to a Class 2 felony charge of possessing a stolen firearm and Class 3 felony theft, was sentenced in absentia Thursday in Jefferson County court to two six-year concurrent terms in the Illinois Department of Corrections.

According to the Jefferson County State’s Attorney’s Office, Phelps did not appear for his 9:30 a.m. sentencing hearing and a no-bond warrant was issued for his arrest. However, that warrant had not yet been sent out.

A few hours later in Centralia, Phelps was stopped by police at the Casey’s General Store on west McCord. He was wanted on outstanding warrants from both Clinton and Fayette counties. He was taken into custody and transported to the Clinton County Jail.

In addition to the home invasion charge, Phelps is accused in the Clinton County warrant with felony criminal trespass, and misdemeanor aggravated assault, domestic battery with physical contact, domestic battery causing bodily harm, and theft under $500.

Bail on the Clinton County case has been set at $150,000. However, if Phelps is able to post $15,000 cash to gain his release, he remains wanted on the no bond warrant to begin his six-year prison sentence on the Jefferson County charges.