Fairbury Man Charged with Assault Reaches Plea Agreement

Tyler Scott Will, 23, of Fairbury, appeared in Jefferson County District Court on Wednesday, April 28, 2022, in the custody of the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office. Julie D. Smith was the presiding judge.
Will was originally charged with second degree assault, a class 2A felony punishable by up to 20 years in prison, and use of a deadly weapon to commit a felony, a class 2 felony that carries a minimum of one and a maximum of 50 years in prison.
On January 7 of this year, Jefferson County deputies were dispatched to a residence in Fairbury, responding to a report of an assault. According to the Warrantless Arrest Affidavit, “The reporting party stated the victim was bleeding from the head and ambulance personnel were dispatched to the house.”
The alleged victim claimed the defendant, “hit him in the head with a metal wrench of some sort.”
The suspect was arrested later that same day. According to the affidavit, “Tyler denied all allegations of the assault.”
In court, County Attorney Joseph Casson identified the weapon as a nail bar. Casson also indicated the alleged victim required 19 stitches.
In accordance with a plea agreement, Will pleaded No Contest to second degree assault. The charge of use of a deadly weapon to commit a felony has been dismissed with prejudice, meaning the charge cannot be refiled.
Judge Smith ordered a PSI (Pre-Sentencing Investigation), including a Victim Impact Statement. Sentencing is scheduled for July 7.