A Herrick man has been sentenced to three years in the Illinois Department of Corrections for failure to register as a sex offender  Franklin D. Huddlestun of Herrick was sentenced on Monday to three years in the Illinois Department of Corrections. The offense normally carries a sentencing range of probation to 5 years in IDOC. Huddlestun faced a potential extended eligible term with a max of ten years due to prior criminal history.

Huddleston was convicted of criminal sexual abuse in Fayette County in 2008. He was also convicted of being present as a sex offender at a county fair and within 500 feet of a public park in Fayette County. In 2009, 2013, and 2015 Huddleston was convicted for failing to register as a sex offender in Fayette County. Huddleston was unsuccessfully terminated from probation in four out of five of his prior cases and was sentenced for two years and three years in 2015 to the Illinois Department of Corrections. 

Huddleston missed the registration deadline by three days in Shelby County and his attorney argued that a sentence of probation was appropriate because Huddleston was generally compliant and was mistaken about the registration deadline. Shelby County State’s Attorney Nichole Kroncke recommended an extended-term prison sentence due to prior history of failing to comply.  Kroncke stated that it was Huddleston’s sixth felony conviction for failing to comply. Kroncke also said that she hoped that the punishment would send a message to convicted sex offenders to comply with registration requirements.

The case was investigated by the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office.