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NO TRIAL: TODD FORT ENTERS A PLEA IN SALINE COUNTY

Todd Fort

SALINE CO.—Facing a jury trial on Monday, Todd Fort, the former Saline County chief deputy and Harrisburg Schools Board of Education president has entered a plea of guilty in his 17-count criminal sexual abuse and official misconduct case.

Fort, 44, appearing stoic and not at all as if any of this bothered him in the least, told Judge Walden Morris this morning after a scheduled 11 a.m. hearing that he agreed to the terms as negotiated and put forth between the defense, Bryan Drew, and the state, represented by State’s Attorney Mike Henshaw and Assistant State’s Attorney Eva Walker.

The negotiated contents of the plea are as follows:

Fort pled to a charge amended today which incorporates elements of the previous original 10 criminal sexual misconduct charges, but is enhanced by the word “Aggravated”: Aggravated Criminal Sexual Abuse, a Class 2 felony. The count charges that Fort, between May 1 and July 19, 2010, committed the offense in that being 17 years of age or older, as chief deputy, held a position of trust, authority or supervision in relation to BJC, the victim, whose age was 17 at the time the acts were committed, and she was an employee of the Saline County Sheriff’s Department, in that he committed an act of sexual conduct with BJC by knowingly fondling her vagina and anus for the purposes of sexual gratification or arousal.

In exchange for the plea, Fort will be sentenced to 3 years DOC. As a sex offender, he must complete 85 percent of his sentence, translating to 30.6 months of a 36-month sentence. However, he has been given “time served.” This has already amounted to almost 14 months. That means Fort will have to spend 16.6 more months behind bars—a little more than a year. It’s unclear whether all that will happen. However, Fort has been remanded to the custody of the Saline County Sheriff’s Department for immediate transfer to the Illinois Department of Corrections, so when he gets input into the system, we’ll see what his sentence ends up being officially and in print.

Upon discharge from DOC, Fort faces two years mandatory supervised release (parole), as well as possible probation, that to be determined at a later date depending upon how he’s doing, it’s assumed.

Further, Fort must pay a $10,000 fine, a $500 sex offender fine, a $200 sexual abuse fine, a $200 DNA fee, along with all other mandated court costs and fees. His bail of $25,000, posted by family and friends, has been revoked and will be applied to the fines and fees…so as predicted, those who contributed to that ‘fund’ are never to see their money again.

But perhaps the most impactful term of the sentence is this: Fort must register as a sex offender for the rest of his life. This means that Fort will essentially be out of circulation of children and any and all activities they may be involved in….he can’t go to fests or county fairs; he can’t go to his 13-year-old daughter’s school events (he can’t even go to any parent-teacher conferences); if it’s his turn to have weekend visitation with his daughter, she can’t bring any of his friends around. He will be prohibited from working in any field that brings him in direct contact with underage people. Since he has spent a lifetime making a career out of public service, he’ll basically be starting from scratch.

The following point needs to be made VERY CLEAR: This plea was NEGOTIATED. That means that the state sat down with the victim and her family, and with Drew supposedly on the line, worked this out. All parties agreed to it. In fact, Henshaw read a statement as issued by the family—the Carrigans—today after the hearing, which we’ll print in full here in a bit.

But prior to the issuance of the statement, Morris went through all the formalities, ensuring that Fort wasn’t under any kind of threat or coercion, wasn’t under any kind of mind-altering substances such as prescription medications, and totally understood his rights. Fort answered each of the judge’s questions in a deep and clear voice, remarkably devoid of anything that sounded even remotely close to remorse. That may simply be his style….but it was noticeable, and people pointed it out as they exited the courtroom.

Further, Morris ensured that the state had their say, and Walker synopsized the case they had against the former chief deputy.

She laid out that their first witness would have been Sheriff Keith Brown, who would have testified that as sheriff, he appointed Fort to the position of chief deputy in December 2006, and in that position Fort supervised every employee in the department except the sheriff.

Misty Fulkerson, administrative assistant at the sheriff’s department, would have testified that the sheriff’s department hired BJC as a part-time administrative clerk in December 2009 and she was employed in that capacity until July 2010. Fulkerson would further testify that at that time, Fort removed BJC from Fulkerson’s immediate supervision, which was supposed to be the way clerks were supervised, and instead placed BJC under HIS supervision. Fulkerson would also say that the standard operating procedure manuals require that all employees were required to have a performance evaluation or appraisal conducted by their immediate supervisor, and that Fort did this for BJC in April 2010, with documentation being introduced at trial.

BJC was set to testify in verification of all this. She was also set to testify as to the sexual conduct perpetrated against her, noting that they occurred on the stated dates, and mostly during her lunch hour from the high school, where she was a junior. Neighbors and others in the area, including Kelly Hefner and Danny Gibbs, would testify as to observing her car going into Fort’s driveway, as described in detail in Disclosure‘s August 5, 2010 Special Edition (which is still available for purchase at Graf Ink Printing in Harrisburg, located at 24 West Church Street just up the way from the fire department).

BJC would also have testified about particular scars and tattoos on Fort that are ordinarily covered by clothing that others wouldn’t know about without having seen him unclothed. She would further have told about thousands of Facebook messages and phone texts between herself and Fort which detailed admission of his sex acts with her, in some cases in graphic detail. Her age was to be established by existing records showing that she was 17 at the time this went on (and just barely that, as her birthday is April 6), which makes the acts illegal if they’re with a person who is in a position of direct supervision, authority or trust.

Testimony would then be given by Illinois State Police investigator Stacey Kinter, who would present Facebook records and Verizon cell phone records detailing the conduct between the two.

Chris Carrigan, the victim’s father, would testify about seeing his daughter in Fort’s county squad car on July 19, 2010, and the ensuing high-speed chase he engaged in in an effort to prove what he’d already told Keith Brown about: that there was something going on between Fort and BJC. These speeds were in excess of 90 mph in residential areas of Harrisburg before Carrigan opted to end the chase in fear of someone’s safety being compromised.

But most interestingly, testimony was set to be given by Saline County Deputy Billy Duncan, who would say that Fort called him for assistance after Carrigan let up the chase, and wanted Duncan to meet Fort outside the city limits. When Duncan arrived, Fort directed him to stay with BJC until someone else could come and pick her up, then Fort did just last, leaving for parts unknown. According to a statement given by Duncan, Fort’s nephew, Alex Palmer, came to pick her up.

Walker called these “high points” in the state’s testimony, and indeed, they were.

Drew, when called upon by the court, acquiesced to the charge as leveled by the state and stated that his client agreed with everything that had been laid out. Walker noted that there was no prior record for Fort of delinquency or criminality. And the court found all of it in order, revoked Fort’s bail, remanded him to the SCDC and ordered him transferred to DOC. Before he closed the hearing, he did advise Fort of his rights to withdraw his sentence, and his right to an appeal within 30 days. We’ll see if the man decides to do this, now that he’s out of money and Drew has proven to have done little more than a public defender would do.

As an exiting remark, Henshaw, with the family of the victim surrounding him, read this statement to the press, directing that there would be no questions taken:

“The Carrigan family, including Bobbi, fully supports the plea agreement presented in open court today. Chris and Karla Carrigan, Bobbi’s parents, wanted to spare their daughter from the trauma of having to relive in open court in detail the graphic nature of the evidence that would have been presented and also to have the defendant acknowledge his guilt in the matter and be required to register as a sex offender for the period of his natural life. The plea agreement, they believe, accomplished both. It also allows Bobbi to continue on with her life without constantly being reminded of the events that took place in 2010.”

BJC was present today in the courtroom for the first time. She looked like the beautiful and bright 18-year-old that she is, and held her head high. She attempted to get Fort to look directly at her during at least a couple of occasions, just so he could see that she was no longer intimidated by him….but he would not. When court was over, she appeared relieved, as did her parents. So while many may be disappointed with the outcome, none should forget that while the people demand justice, the victim is the one ultimately who can pronounce that that justice is “just.”

And it appears that, in at least this case, it really is.

Short URL: http://www.disclosurenewsonline.com/?p=9579

Avatar of Jack Howser Posted by on Sep 16 2011. Filed under Breaking. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry

47 Comments for “NO TRIAL: TODD FORT ENTERS A PLEA IN SALINE COUNTY”

  1. Tina Martin………….HERE’S YOUR SIGN:)

  2. Are you sure he has to serve 85%? Your numbers look right to me, but Drew told WSIL that he’d be out in four months, so apparently he was calculating it at 50%.

    • Henshaw told Ang 6-10 months, but we calculated at 85% and saw 16.6. Ordinarily sex offenders are at 85%….but like I said in the article, we’ll see the final outcome when his info gets onto the DOC website. There was a lot of confusion today, and several media people weren’t even there.

      • just looked up fort on the IDOC website he got 3 yrs @ 50% means 1.5 yrs minus the time he was in county hes due out 2/20/2012 he got 5 mos to serve most the time everybody serves 50% of their time unless its a Class X Felony or a Class 1 with extended sentencing. since his charge is a class 2 he will get 2 yrs MSR (Parole) have to wear the ankle bandit for the entire time, be ordered to seek and complete S.O. Counseling and be enrolled in it for the 2 yrs. Now we have to wait to see if they labeled him as a Sexual Predator. If not, he will only have to register for 10yrs from the date of his release from prison. the only other things he will be plagued with is no contact with anyone under 18 unless approved by his P.O. while on the list he can not have any profiles on ANY socializing site (ie Facebook, Myspace, etc) can not reside near any schools, parks or daycares, cant not be present on any of those unless he has permission from the principal or school board (meaning he could attend certain functions that his daughter is in like graduation ONLY if the school approves of it) so hes in for some pretty nifty stuff. But if the state labels him as a Predator, then he is required to register every year, every time he moves, changes jobs, attends college, or once a year till hes deceased

        • Depending on how he does in Prison and for a while on Parole, he may not wear the ankle bracelet as long as you think. The Parole Board can make a decision based on his PO’s opinion and he would get that sucker off in three months if he is even required to wear one in the first place. All cases are all together different but knowing IDOC they will probably not restrict him to home confinement with the ankle bracelet over his (essentially) first offense.

          • all sex offenders upon release from prison are required to be on home confinement first offense or not. What you said OF is true on some offenses but with a sex offense he will be restricted there was a guy who recently was released from IDOC same charge, same amount of parole time, had to wear it from the day they put it on till his end parole date. That is a requirement of the Attorney General in her ever pursuing cause of monitoring Sex offenders. She and her supporters are trying to push for longer registering time for new registered offenders when some have to register for life. Currently if one is labeled as Sexually Dangerous or Sexually Violent, those individuals once they are released from the IDHS(Illinois Dept of Human Services where most SDP and SVP’s are sent because they didnt take part in counseling while in IDOC or the courts deem they still need to be confined), they register every 90 days for life, Predators, as in Fort’s case which he is listed on the ISP page as one, will register every year for life. Most the ones who are SDP and SVP when released are on ankle monitors and GPS monitors for life. This prevents them from being in an area that they shouldnt be. I met one who is on it and asked him how it works with the GPS it allows the DOC to track him and if hes near say a school within so many feet it signals an alarm at the local and state police levels hes arrested and sent back no questions asked. at any given time he cant be any more than 7 ft away from his GPS unit or 100 ft from his residence or the ankle monitor will dial in. Those things are subject to like line of sight and having it on one level of a home and person has a basement or upstairs it can lose signal and dial in report an out of range but this info came from a retired PO and from someone who is currently on it

  3. It went just as I said it would in the beginning, a deal would be cut. I’d also bet he doesn’t stay behind bars too much longer. However, his life is screwed from here on out due to his own ignorance.

  4. This is just so unjust, Todd Fort and whoever the chick was from Carrier Mills who molested the 13 year old boy, they get nothing for it. There was Burtis D. Wenzel, who was a kid himself was with a kid and he gets 16 years. Who makes these laws that can just be this for one and something less for another. I just don’t get it. Its just wrong.

    • Justice, unfortunately, isn’t level across the board. The difference lies in what one person perceives as justice versus what another perceives. If this were my daughter, would I want Drew to get her up on the stand and slander her only for the purpose of putting doubt in the jurors’ minds? Probably not; not at age 18 when she hasn’t learned quite yet how sick the world of attorneys and child molesters can be. And you’ve seen the juries in Saline County….good God, Arnulfo Fonseca and John Curtis got off of murder. They are fickle. I believe some lie in order to get on the jury. So there was quite the roll of the dice to take just to take it through trial. Had there been a venue change, to a place like say Carlyle, where no one had ever heard of Todd Fort, maybe it would’ve gone. But who knows? That bunch of numbnuts who acquitted Julie Rea might’ve been seated again, and might’ve been impressed with Drew’s theatrics and greasy hair. So Henshaw got with the Carrigans and they decided what they could live with. And BJC was very strong about all of it. This is the first time we’ve ever seen her. She is a charming child, well-spoken and mannerly and hopefully will grow up to be a lady….not someone Drew was going to run through the mud and claim she had a big black buck boyfriend she was running off with at every opportunity like he was hinting he was gonna say….plus, there are some things in the court file that we have never published, wishing to save them for trial, because they’re…..well. They’re sick. I mean, they are just SICK. They show that Fort is a twisted, perverted pervert. And idk if the Carrigans want that shit out there, and we respect them….they’ve been through enough. So they got what helps them deal with what happened, and that is that Fort is going to prison at least for a little while, and then he’ll be openly tagged for life for what he is: a child molester. And if there were a designation or category for the rest of it, the stuff we don’t want to tell because we don’t want to put BJC through that….he’d have that tag, too, and people would avoid him like the plague, because while it’s not contagious, it’s indeed a sickness, and I for one don’t think that kind of thing can be cured.

      • Well said Jack,,, But still,,,,, I know, Ive got a daughter myself, IDK
        Maybe I can loan CC a shovel, say next March…

        8)

      • Jack I am in no way aiming to stand up for Todd Fort or the Alleged BIG Black fellar who was again allegedly workin her over…but there are young women out there who tease and torment men of an older age, with nothing more than intent for self pleasure at first then if their mommy and daddy learn of it the story gets changed too he raped me! Well I know this probably isn’t the case in this situation but I am simply sayin some young girls do this to guys, even some closer to their own age.

        • We know that’s the case….there’s an example of that up in Robinson that we need to dig into some time; turns out there is a group of girls who are accusing men of doing things to them when these men have never even SAID anything suggestive, yet they are facing charges. There’s a pervasive sentiment among some segments of society where younger teen girls see it as some sort of a status symbol to have older men slobbering after them and/or actually having sex with them. That’s not at all the case with Fort…he stalked this young girl and actually could be said to have preyed upon her, and there was evidence that he was “grooming” 3 other young girls to do the same thing to them.

          • Well as I said in an earlier comment I was in no way condoning what Fort did, just simply saying that it is obvious even in this area a young girl dresses (If you call it that) and then gets guys to stare, druel, make sexual remarks(generally going both ways), and then as I said when mommy and daddy find out they claim it was rape…there are even young girls under 16 yrs of age dressing and posing, obviously even looking in ways to be over 18 with the intent of getting men in trouble or as you stated makin them a status symbol…in either case the girl thinks its fun til she is caught and I suppose the man is to ignorant to ask for ID but it causes trouble and in some but certainly not all cases this has happened. Some of these girls come out lookin like french whores, why their parents allow this is beyond me but, trust me if a girl is dressing “slutty” there is always a reason and generally its for attention! I hate what happened to the victim(s) in the Fort case but I am speaking of what you are referring to up in Robinson

          • Thats the problem now days a man cane be walking down the street with his wife, walk out of the say movie theater, and some low life female from accross the street yells “RAPE” and points in the direction of the husband and wife leaving the theater, guess what hes arrested, and charged with raping someone he doesnt know and if hes one that has to reply on the as in jack’s words “public pretender” hes screwed. Girls do this cuz they know they can get what they want if the men dont pay up its you buy me what i want or i cry rape. I say take em out back and give them an education out behind the barn like their grandparents got and probably some of their parents. Its not right either way and ex wives do it to to get what they want out of a marriage i have seen way too many friends lose everything to an ex solely because she convinced the kids to cry wolf as something the man wasnt even capable of (ie not being home at the time it was supposed to have happend) so what are we to do about it Fort’s guilty whether he took a plea or not he knew that if it went to trial that he would have gotten a lot more time and really all who were involved didnt want to put people thru that again but 3 yrs on a class 2 felony?? either the state had a weak case and just wanted to get it over with or someone sweetend the pot

          • Believe me, truthinamerica….we’ve got an article series coming up, beginning this next issue, that explains what the family was set to go through should this go to trial. There are about 400 pages of the most PORNOGRAPHIC information coming off Facebook, IMs and texts that anyone could ever imagine. If these things were portrayed in images, it’d be my guess that they would be so graphic and disgusting that there would actually be blurred spots on any internet site advertising them, and that one could only obtain them on a pay-per-click basis. Given that the girl was 16 when it began, that would also constitute child porn….so Fort’s lucky it didn’t go into images, and was only portrayed in words. And yet, when that made it to the courtroom, even WE were going to be hard-pressed as to how it would have been presented….because it is some of the most vile and disgusting-natured stuff we’ve ever, EVER come across. We have a stack of copies in the office that bear several of the FB messaging….and once in awhile, during the course of this, we’d look at it and then at each other and go “HOW in the HELL are we going to write this?!?” I mean, I’m getting ready to go into my 20th year in journalism, and I’ve never ever come across anything so graphic and disgusting. And, being the stepfather of girls, I couldn’t possibly imagine having to endure that with them and it being brought out in open court with TV stations and newspapers recounting it…and were it my own flesh-and-blood daughter, of which I have two, I think I’d just have a high-speed-come-apart instead of deal with it. Chris and Karla were very stoic, but putting their daughter through that, and all the shitty things Bryan Drew was going to throw at her, was just too much. We’re with them on it….and we’ll stand beside any other parent who opts for the same outcome. Some things are just better left unsaid, and what would’ve come out in trial, true or alleged, was part of that. So don’t go trippin down that “sweetened the pot” thing so fast. The prosecution was prepared to go for the jugular in order to get a conviction, they were secure in their evidence, and no “deal” was brokered on their part….this was strictly a decision made by the Carrigans, and bless their hearts for doing it, it was very, very difficult.

          • Well although this may or may not happen it could make it to where the feds could come in and charge Fort with Child Porn. The Feds seem too do that these days and the moment he’s a thinkin he’s a free man BANG here they come! Wouldn’t that just be awful (sarcastically asked)?

          • Nothing would surprise me…but there weren’t any images found. Just text. Too bad that can’t be charged separately, but it was kind of incorporated, I believe….and anyway, Drew would have an absolute conniption over such a thing….it’s just repulsive is all it is….you all are just gonna have to wait and see what the upcoming print issues bring…

          • Jack and Ang…..Amen and bless your hearts!!!! This is alot of the reason I think so highly of you two!!!!!!! I know Karla and I could NEVER imagine her doing anything but protecting her children! Bless you Karla! You’re still the same good person as you were when we were growing up…many prayers for your family & healing from the torment you have had to endure!!

          • I would love to see that Bryan Drew have a conniption! It would make my day complete. Can’t stand child molestors nor those who fight too protect them!

          • ah my bad i missed that part of the discussion in the print and online version.

          • Jack, I wonder about the wager that was made??? It didn’t go to trial, but I wonder if there was any stipulation made with the wager that if there was a plea made, Drew would have to pay Henshaw the hundred bucks??

    • Burtis Wenzel was just released from Prison on several other charges prior to his arrest on the child rape charges, this was forts first offense that has some part of what happened here. Hope Fort enjoys his first few months in the receiving department of Prison and also hope he enjoys the cuisine of Soy laden products. HOPE NO ONE SENDS HIM COMMISSARY MOONEY SO HE ONLY EATS WHAT THEY SERVE!

  5. NOTHING surprises me from the Burg… GEEZ Walden..
    He raped a CHILD, A CHILD, A CHILD…..
    When does it become OK to have intercourse with a CHILD >>>>> WHEN ????
    I dont see H** an C**** likeing this….
    DAMN ??????

    8)

  6. The only good part is the crazy bastard will have to sign the sex registry list upon release and that will be the only list his name will appear on at the sheriffs office or state registry from here on out. At least he is knocked out of power…No Justice was not served but at least he is labeled for what he really is!

  7. Well…UGH…is all I can say, that AND that Ole Toddy will be right back at his sick little ways just as soon as he gets out. Perverts like him don’t change. :beurk:

  8. I think we all saw this coming. Fort and Drew were stalling the trial as long as they could so that Fort could serve as much time as possible in the comfortable confines of the Jackson County Jail.

  9. What I think umml meant is that it would be nice if Tina Martin would also take a plea and save her family from all the heartbreak that a trial would bring.

    • I have to agree with that statement. You’d think by now they’d have worked something out, and that Tina would like to get out from under the burden of very serious felony charges.

      • oh 1newcomer1 wouldn’t that be nice if she would do that. However, it is a proven fact she doesn’t put her family first so therefore I think she will drag this on and on and on. Sad isn’t it. You would think that as a mother she would want to get this over with and try to make it as quick, painless and quiet as possible so that her kids wouldn’t have to suffer the publicity that will accompany a trial. I think she probably could have taken a plea a while back, served some time and now be on her way to trying to become a respectable citizen again. I guess that “God” like thinking rubbed off on her and she thinks that she is untouchable and can just go on with life as if nothing ever happened.

        • She will eventually take a plea as well just wait and see. Of course she will drag it on and on but I think eventually a plea will be reached. I can assure you Tina is just thinking of herself and if she has a chance to better herself through a plea or what have you she will do so. If I was someone who she knew anything about as far as illegal stuff goes then I would be worried sick about right now!

          • OF…you just probably said over a mouth full. I still say there are alot of “boots” shaking from the Martins both. The Feds like to cut deals, and keep a person in “their pocket” as they put it…amazing things can happen if you play ball with them. :bloody:

          • Ya amazing trully amazing things…even murders made to look like suicides like has happened in my home area! What one wouldnt give to be a fly on the wall about right now just to hear what they are saying!

  10. Think the Feds would take a case like this ??? Who would you call ???

    HE RAPED, (Crimnal Sexual Assault) Her… Right ??? I mean where do you change the laws ?? Oh Saline County,,, Thats right….Mother ——-… Am I wrong here… And to hogg, you arent the man I thought you were, and Carla, Just do your job,an shut te hell up…

    8)

    • Its Criminal Sexual abuse and thats a totally different charge than rape assault is using force

      • If a minor child hollars rape it is charged as Rape whether real proof is provided or not. Girls have and continue to do this to guys all over the nation. They might be 14 -16 yrs old, tell the guy they are 18 and well a rape charge can be made. It may or may not be a conviction but none the less it takes very little evidence to charge someone with rape especially of a child. Thats all I am saying in any part of my comments and I hope this isnt taken personally it is just a common fact around these parts.

        • That’s the truth O.F.! I agree with ya…it’s so sad but true. However in this case, he knew how old she was.

        • Man, I gotta mention this here: A couple of years ago we came across a case in Clay County where a 19-year-old guy was at a party and was being chatted up by a pretty girl who wanted to have sex with him. He told her he believed she was too young, and he kept resisting but she kept at him. Finally he said “okay, show me your driver’s license, I wanna see how old you are” and she produced a license that showed she was 18. So he had sex with her, and people at the party knew, and advised him that he was gonna be in trouble shortly. She went home and pretty soon here came the cops….because she had been carrying around HER SISTER’S driver’s license, and they looked almost identical because her sister was three years younger when the license photo was shot, and the girl was only THIRTEEN. So dude was convicted of a sex crime and is now in the database because some little shit lied all the way around…but they can’t make exceptions for that kind of thing.

          • Yes! Unfortunately, things like that still happen too! A couple of weeks ago while we were at all down at the marina for Shrimpfest, there were several of us inside our boat because it was getting rather cool outside, so we went inside where we had the heat on. We were getting ready to go back out for a bit to sit at our table. One of our friends walked out, came RIGHT back down and said there appeared to be underage kids drinking around all of our tables. Needless to say, one(cough cough) of us walked out there& said, ‘hope you all are of drinking age, otherwise, move your asses away from here’! They scattered big time! They went to the smaller dock, so we think they came from E’ville…

    • theres a link on a tv station’s web site where BJC whom we all know what her name is stated that she was 100% willinging ok thats fine that had he and it looks like fort is on the state Sex offender site being listed as a Sexual Predator well that means he registers for life once a year unless he moves, then hes permanently barred from being in any city park, living near any park or school

  11. Moderate Me ??? WHY,?? everything I said everyone was thinking..

    8)

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