Published: November 21, 2008 09:01 pm      

Langa bond reduction hearing continued

Staff Report

MT. VERNON — A hearing on whether to reduce bond for Jerry Lee Langa was continued this week at the request of his public defender, according to court documents.

Langa, of the 200 block of Park Street in Woodlawn, was arrested on Sept. 21 by the Illinois State Police on charges of predatory criminal sexual assault of a child on Sept. 6. At the time of his arrest, Langa was a Woodlawn Village Board member, and he resigned from the position last month. Langa pleaded not guilty to the charges on Oct. 21.

Investigations in the incident are being conducted by the ISP, and special prosecutor Kevin Kakac, Wayne County State’s Attorney, has been appointed as a special prosecutor. Langa has been appointed public defender Bob Verhines to represent him in the matter.

Verhines filed a motion to reduce Langa’s $250,000 bond in September, but a hearing on the motion in October was continued, and Tuesday, a second hearing was continued at Verhines request. The hearing has been reset for Dec. 23.

In addition, a jury trial date has been set in the case for Jan. 13, 2009.

Predatory criminal sexual assault of a child is a Class X felony which is punishable by six to 30 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections; three years mandatory supervised release; a fine up to $25,000; and no chance for periodic imprisonment, probation or conditional discharge.