Rock Falls, IL – A Rock Falls man has been sentenced to a total of 10 years in prison after pleading guilty to weapons and drug charges in Whiteside County, officials confirmed.
Plea Deal Resolves Multiple Cases
Daveon Lucas, 25, who was facing charges in six separate cases, including attempted murder, pleaded guilty on Aug. 15 to two charges: reckless discharge of a firearm and possession of methamphetamine. In exchange, 19 other charges were dismissed, according to court records.
The plea deal resolved multiple pending investigations, allowing Lucas to serve consecutive prison sentences: five years for the firearm charge and five years for the meth possession, totaling 10 years behind bars.
Sterling Shooting Incident
Lucas was accused of shooting a 28-year-old man on May 28, 2024, in the 2200 block of East Lincolnway, Sterling. The victim was initially transported to CGH Medical Center and later transferred to Javon Bea Hospital–Riverside in Rockford, reportedly in serious condition.
An arrest warrant for Lucas was issued the next day. He was later apprehended in Markham on June 21, 2024, facing aggravated battery with a firearm and aggravated discharge of a firearm. An attempted murder charge was filed on July 24, 2024, but was dismissed under the plea agreement.
Drug Charges and Sentence
On the same day as his firearm plea, Lucas pleaded guilty to possessing between 5 and 15 grams of methamphetamine, a case dating back to Jan. 2, 2024, which originally included four felony drug charges. Remaining counts—including possession with intent to deliver—were dropped as part of the plea deal.
Other Dismissed Charges
The plea deal also resulted in the dismissal of several additional charges across multiple prior incidents, including:
- Residential burglary, criminal damage to property, and criminal trespass from April 26, 2024.
- Obstruction of a police officer, driving on a suspended license, and unlawful possession of cannabis in February 2023.
- Resisting a police officer and driving violations from May 2023.
- Driving without a license and expired registration in December 2023.
Court Proceedings
Lucas appeared in court on Aug. 15 for his plea and sentencing. The consecutive sentences reflect the seriousness of the firearm and drug offenses, while the dismissal of other charges streamlined his cases and avoided extended litigation.
Authorities continue to emphasize the dangers of reckless firearm use and illegal drug possession, noting that community safety remains a top priority in Whiteside County.
If you have information on similar incidents in Whiteside County, contact local law enforcement or leave a tip to help keep the community safe.
