Fairbury Man Flees Deputies, Charged with Felony

A high speed pursuit in Jefferson County ended with an arrest and felony charges.Anthony M. Kenley, 18, of Fairbury, was arraigned in Jefferson County Court on Wednesday, March 20, 2024. Linda Bauer was the presiding judge.Kenley is charged with operating a motor vehicle to avoid arrest, a class 4 felony punishable by up to two years in prison, followed by nine to 12 months of post-release supervision and a $10,000 fine. In addition, he is charged with two misdemeanors, including first offense reckless driving and driving at night without lights, both class 3 misdemeanors. Kenley is also charged with two speeding infractions.On March 3 of this year, shortly after 1:00 a.m. deputies with the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office attempted to conduct a traffic stop near mile marker 160 on Highway 136. According to the deputy that filled out the arrest affidavit, lights on the vehicle were extinguished during the course of the pursuit, “I accelerated and advised Jefferson County dispatch that I was in pursuit of a truck I clocked at 98-mph (miles per hour) and blacked-out its lights and was trying to run on me. At that time, I was traveling at speeds between 70 to 89-mph southbound on the dirt road.”The deputy noted that when he hit the intersection at 714 Road and 576 Avenue, he was traveling at approximately 80 mph and, “my patrol vehicle and all four tires went airborne.”After that, the deputy indicated he observed the vehicle slow down and pull over to the west side of the road on 576 Avenue near 712 Road.The driver was identified as Kenley and taken into custody.Kenley requested court-appointed counsel and Public Defender Scott Gropp was appointed to represent him.Another hearing is scheduled for April 10.

Deshler Man Avoids Felony Assault Charge

Warrant Issued for Lexington Man

Related Articles

County Attorney: “He Needs to Stay in Jail”

Fairbury Woman Faces Drug Charge

Another Warrant Issued for Beatrice Man

Diller Man Gets Four Years for Drug Charges in Gage County