Former Choate Center employees face charges

Illinois State Police Division of Internal Investigation agents reported Jan. 17 that three former employees of the Choate Mental Health and Developmental Center in Anna face official misconduct and other charges.

The Illinois State Police reported in a news release that they had arrived at Choate Mental Health and Developmental Center on March 22, 2018, to investigate allegations of the abuse of mental health patients. 

After a comprehensive investigation, the Union County grand jury issued indictments on Jan. 6 for Sheri L. Fish, Cody A. Barger and Johnathan C. Lingle.

Sheri L. Fish, 49, of Sherman, and Cody A. Barger, 25, of Grantsburg, were reported by authorities to have been taken into custody.

Fish was transported to the Sangamon County Jail on Jan. 16, where she was being held on one count of official misconduct, with a $25,000, 10 percent applies bond. 

Barger was taken into custody Jan. 14; he faced two counts of official misconduct and two counts of obstruction of justice with a $25,000, 10 percent applies bond. 

The state police also reported that warrants for one count of official misconduct and one count of obstruction of justice had been issued for Jonathan C. Lingle, 29, of Goreville.

Union County State’s Attorney Daniel Klingemann said that Lingle had turned himself in to authorities. 

Lingle turned himself in to the Union County Sheriff’s Office in Jonesboro over the weekend.

The case has been turned over to the Union County state’s attorney.