CLINTON COUNTY, IL — The defense attorney in a languishing 2017 Clinton County sexual assault case has filed a motion to release bond money in the case that has seen no action in more than two years. Andrew R. Lewis posted $5,000 cash bond in December 2017 following his arrest on three Class 1 felony counts of criminal sexual assault by force.

The case was filed in 2017 following an alleged incident involving graduating high school seniors in Germantown. Lewis has remained free on bond since shortly after his arrest but the case has languished in court since January 18, 2019, when a new judge was assigned to the case. Three judges in the circuit have recused themselves from the case as Lewis’ mother is a prominent attorney in the area and has twice ran for Clinton County State’s Attorney. Former Clinton County State’s Attorney John Hudspeth placed the case in the hands of the Appellate Prosecutor’s Office but only after he took it before a grand jury. According to Defense Attorney Tim Huyett, the case has had problems with discovery of evidence from the prosecution, and that the defense has even called the former State’s Attorney to testify in the case.

Last week Huyett filed a motion in the case to have his client’s cash bond released, which is the only activity the case has seen in more than two years.

We’ve reached out to the Appellate Prosecutor’s Office multiple times for an explanation for why the case has never moved forward from judicial assignments but they have not yet returned our calls.