Three defendants appeared before Judge Matt Vaughn in Wayne County Circuit Court on Thursday, resulting in guilty pleas, probation modifications and a prison sentence.
Michael A. Vaughan, 49, of Fairfield pleaded guilty to a charge of retail theft. Judge Vaughn sentenced Vaughan to 18 months of conditional discharge and ordered him to pay court costs. Vaughan was also ordered to make restitution to Walmart in the amount of $10.69.
Ebert Pashea, 57, of Mt. Vernon admitted to violating the terms of a previous probation sentence for unlawful possession of methamphetamine. The court sentenced Pashea to a new term of two years of probation and ordered him to pay court costs. Judge Vaughn also imposed a stayed sentence of 90 days in the Wayne County Jail, which could be enforced if Pashea violates the conditions of his new probation term.
Michael L. Keyser, 27, of Fairfield was sentenced to 15 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections for unlawful possession of methamphetamine stemming from an offense that occurred in November 2025. In addition to court costs, Keyser received credit for five days served in the Wayne County Jail.
Court records indicate four additional cases against Keyser were dismissed. The court also noted that Keyser had been unsuccessfully discharged from probation in a previous case, and an amended petition to revoke that probation was withdrawn.