JEFFERSON COUNTY, IL — A 40-year-old Mt. Vernon man was sentenced Wednesday in Jefferson County Court on a residential burglary charge as a part of an investigation into a break-in on E. Cedar Hills Rd in rural Mt. Vernon.

Michael Upton was actually arrested Wednesday by the Mt. Vernon Police Department for Driving While License Privileges Suspended/Revoked. During a court hearing that day, Upton was sentenced to 11 years in prison as result of a Sheriff’s Office investigation, which began on August 28th, 2020 with a burglary complaint originating in the 10000 block of E. Cedar Hills Rd.

This is the second sentencing in the last two weeks in that same particular case as 42-year-old Harry J. Mulkey Jr. of Waltonville was also sentenced in Jefferson County Court regarding this case but during a hearing last Thursday and to 15 years in prison. Mulkey Jr. failed to appear for his sentencing hearing, so he was sentenced in absentia and an arrest warrant was issued. Mulkey Jr. remains at large.

The Mt. Vernon Police Department along with the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office ask that no person make any effort to approach or apprehend Mulkey Jr. other than to contact Crimestoppers at (618) 242-TIPS (8477) if you have information of his whereabouts.