MT. VERNON, IL — A 39-year-old Mt. Vernon man was sentenced Tuesday in Jefferson County Court to 20 years in prison after he pleaded guilty to a Class X felony charge of armed violence. Brian Griffin also pleaded guilty to Class 4 felony violation of an order of protection and was sentenced on that charge to concurrent 3-years in prison.

Griffin was arrested in March of this year after Mt. Vernon police responded to a residence in the 1500 block of South 12th for a report of a burglary in progress. A resident on the phone, who was not at the home, reported surveillance cameras had been activated and a person was observed. Officers located forced entry upon their arrival and could hear property inside the home being damaged. As a perimeter was being established, Griffin exited the residence. Officers gave him commands to surrender but he instead fled on foot. After a brief foot pursuit, Griffin was taken into custody. A check of the residence revealed several thousand dollars damage inside. Griffin has remained in the Jefferson County Jail since his arrest with bond set at $400,000.

Per the plea agreement, charges of Class 1 felony residential burglary and Class 4 resisting police were dismissed.

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