A Shelby County judge sentences a 31-year-old Decatur man to seven years in the Illinois Department of Corrections. 

According to Shelby County State’s Attorney Nichole Kroncke, the sentence relates to Joshua White’s July attack of a corrections officer resulting in bodily harm. 

The case went to trial and a jury returned a guilty verdict for White. The charge carries a sentencing range of 3 to 7 years. 

Judge Stan Brandmeyer delivered the maximum sentence after a contested sentencing hearing.

On July 27th, 2021, White lashed out at corrections officers when they directed White back to his cell. When officers shut the cell door, White charged an officer, grabbing and striking him forcefully on the head with his fist and threatened to kill the officer. The officer suffered a concussion and missed several days of work following the attack.