Metro-east crime and courts: Sentencings, charges and fraud. Here’s what to know

Recent court actions across the metro-east region include sentencings in fatal shootings, federal fraud convictions and new charges involving a school gun incident. Here’s a look at the latest cases reported by the Belleville News-Democrat.

Here are key takeaways:

• Belleville teen shooting: Clevin Rogers, 20, of East St. Louis was sentenced to 15 years for the second-degree murder of 17-year-old Parker Bujnak, according to the BND. Bujnak was shot Feb. 8, 2025, near 59th and State streets.

• Weed cleanup, signs stay: Belleville workers cut overgrown vegetation at Stewart Lannert’s South 29th Street property under a judge’s order, but his political signs, Confederate flag and homemade cannon remain due to First Amendment protections, the BND reported.

• Gun at school: Breanna B. Robison, 35, of New Athens faces three misdemeanors after her child allegedly brought an unloaded gun to school. Robison told the BND it was an “inoperable antique shelved collectable gun.”

• Tax preparer fraud: Dormeshia A. Haire, 38, pleaded guilty to wire fraud and filing false returns, admitting she caused more than $600,000 in losses to the IRS and $48,000 to Illinois.

• Fatal Tennessee shooting: Evan Cogdill, 24, of Marissa was charged with criminally negligent homicide in the death of Jacob Inselmann, 22, of Steeleville, at Dolly Parton’s Stampede in Pigeon Forge.

• Library director sentenced: Former East St. Louis Public Library Director Kenyada T. Harris, 42, received 15 months in federal prison and must repay $102,249 after embezzling from the library and Illinois DHS.

• No prison for contractor: Columbia contractor Gregg Crawford, 66, received three years of supervised release, 200 hours of community service and a $9,500 fine for a bank fraud scheme involving derelict homes.

• Attempted murder charge: Charles E. Little Jr., 40, of Belleville was charged with attempted first-degree murder after an April 20 shooting near 47th Street and Caseyville Avenue left a victim critically injured.

The summary points above were compiled with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists. The source reporting referenced above was written and edited entirely by journalists.