Fairbury Man Arrested with Machete Gets Three Years

A Fairbury man accused of brandishing a machete has been sentenced to three years in prison.Brandon F. Whorton, age 36, appeared in Jefferson County District Court in the custody of the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office on Thursday, May 2, 2024. David J.A. Bargen was the presiding judge. Plea AgreementWhorton was originally charged with two counts of possession of a deadly weapon by a prohibited person, each a class 3 felony punishable by up to four years in prison, two year post-release supervision and a $25,000 fine. He was also charged with unlawful acts relating to drugs, a class 3 misdemeanor.In accordance with the plea agreement, Whorton pleaded no contest to one count of possession of a deadly weapon by a prohibited person. The remaining charges were dismissed.Arrest On October 31, 2023, Jefferson County Deputies were dispatched to a residence in Fairbury. According to the arrest affidavit, deputies responding to a report of “a male subject swinging a machete around and yelling.” The deputy that filled out the affidavit wrote that, upon arrival, “Female subject showed me a video of the suspect waiving the machete around outside his apartment.”The affidavit also notes, “Brandon did give us consent to search the apartment as well as acknowledged wielding the weapon, Brandon also described the location of a dagger that was inside of the apartment he resides in.” A criminal background check confirmed Whorton is a convicted felon. Whorton was arrested at the scene at approximately 5:57 p.m. The approximately 14 inch machete and six inch dagger were taken in as evidence. According to the probation office, Whorton had also on post-release supervision for a prior conviction but has been absconded for two years. SentencingCounty Attorney Joseph Casson recommended a straight sentence. The defendant was represented by Public Defender Scott Gropp, who requested probation for his client, although he acknowledged Whorton has failed at probation previously. Whorton told the court he wanted to attend treatment for mental health issues and has previously applied at a treatment facility, “I was waiting for bed space when this incident occurred.” “This was not a crime against a person,” said Whorton, who told the court that, although he understood he was not allowed to own a knife with a blade over three inches because of his felony conviction, he did not realize the machete was covered under that prohibition. “The answer always seems to be send me to prison, send me to prison,” said Whorton. “I'm just tired of being in prison. I'm sick of it.” Whorton said, “Just give me one chance.” However, Judge Bargen said the defendant was “not a fit candidate for probation” and sentenced him to three years in prison, with credit for 147 days time served, followed by two years of post-release supervision. Whorton then stood up and attempted to leave the courtroom before the judge had finished speaking. He said, “I'm done. I'm done. I don't wanna hear any more.” Deputies returned Whorton to his seat. After the judge had finished, Whorton was remanded to the custody of the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office to carry out the sentence.

Judge Denies Lower Bond for Suspect Facing Life in Prison

Duke Sentenced to Two Years in Prison

Related Articles

For the Record

Warrant Issued for Fairbury Man

Kearney Man Reaches Plea Agreement in Drug Case

Transient Arrested in Plymouth