Pelo Found Guilty On All Charges

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Pelo Found Guilty On All Charges

By Gina Ford

A McLean County jury Wednesday found former Bloomington police officer Jeff Pelo guilty on all 35 counts of the rapes of four women and the stalking of another women.

Inside the courtroom, Pelo broke down sobbing while the guilty verdicts were being read just after Noon.

Pelo's wife was escorted from the courtroom under heavy security.

Jurors started deliberating Pelo's case Monday afternoon.

Pelo had pleaded not guilty to 35 counts in the rapes of four women and the stalking of a fifth woman.

The verdict came in just before noon.

It's been a long road for everyone involved in this trial, especially the victims.

Sarah Kalmes and her family celebrated in the lobby of the McLean County Law and Justice center this afternoon.

The victim said, "I can't even process how good this feels right now."

Pelo was convicted of raping her and three other women and stalking a fifth.

The Kalmes family says it has been a long journey and now they can finally begin to heal.

Her mother, Carole Kalmes, said, "The thing most important to me is these victims have been validated."

"The unnamed victims and I know there's more out there that didn't report...and all the future victims that won't be because of this jury, so we are forever grateful to them."

This morning as Judge Robert Freitag delivered guilty verdicts on all of the 35 counts, Rickielee Pelo shouted in anger that her husband didn't do it.

She said, "My emotions got the better of me."

And courtroom police surrounded her and she was removed from the courtroom.

Her sobbing children followed her out.

A second rape victim, Andrea Lawhun, says she is glad her attacker is behind bars, but she feels sorry for his family.

"That was very upsetting to me, because not only did he affect us, women he didn't know personally, but his wife and his children he's known for a very long time."

Assistant State's Attorney Mark Messman was the lead prosecutor in this trial. He says it took a lot of manpower but he's glad to the right man is behind bars.

"For myself it just motivated me all the more just because someone abusing their position, a position I hold dear."

Sarah says her attack occurred just six weeks before her wedding.

And since her 2005 assault, she has had to slowly put her life back together up the pieces.

"You have to take it one day at a time. One day you're thinking about picking out flowers for a wedding, and the next day you're trying to figure out how you're going to get through the next minute and next hour."

Rickielee Pelo says she plans to fight this verdict to prove her husband's innocence.

"I know my husband did not do this, I've know that from day one and I stand behind my decision."

Pelo's attorney Michael Rosenblat says he plans to file an appeal.

Pelo's sentencing hearing is scheduled for Tuesday August 12.

The Pelo verdict today is the culmination of two years of investigation.

In June 2006, Police arrested Pelo for stalking.

The following month Pelo was charged with raping four women in separate incidents between December 2002 and January 2005.

Then in August a McLean County Grand Jury indicted Pelo on 35 counts including 28 charges of aggravated criminal sexual assault related to the four rapes.

After several delays, last month the Pelo trial began. At that point, Pelo had been held in jail longer than anyone else who ever awaited trial in McLean County.

Saturday, Jun 21 at 11:51 PM Rob wrote ...

Nice to see an officer facing charges its a start now if we can clean up the rest of the slime buckets that use the badge to betray the public we will be better off.Im sure Mr Pelo will get what he has coming in prison I bet he will make a great wife for one of the inmates.

Friday, Jun 20 at 8:47 PM Shadow wrote ...

I want to thank our local news team and especially Eric Shangraw for breaking this news story two years ago. We should be proud of our local news team for the investigative reporting they do to keep our community safe. We all feel so sheltered to live in such a great place...and we should, but bad things still happen here and (I don't want to sound cliche but) we can count on News 25.

Friday, Jun 20 at 8:43 PM Shadow wrote ...

He was in my home too. He told me and my neighbors there was nothing wrong and that no one had been raped. He lied to all of us. I am a single woman and he walked around my home and pointed out all the areas that "someone" could break in. He was scary and devious and he needs help. I have been on pins and needles these past few weeks awaiting the verdict. If you don't know what it's like to be scared of men like this then I doubt you should comment.

Friday, Jun 20 at 10:25 AM Dee wrote ...

I know of an individual who was accused of stalking. During court proceedings, 3 men testified they saw the stalker outside the accuser home. After weeks of trial, it was learned the accused was out of state, proven only by 1 stamped-dated video. What if the hotel didn't have that? The innocent would have been guilty. My gut feeling says he's guilty but I havent seen/heard HARD evidence to prove his guilt. Realistically, what law enforcement agency is NOT crooked, somewhere-somehow.

Thursday, Jun 19 at 1:11 PM Jerry S. wrote ...

The errors in this article are unbelievable. Did a 2nd grader write this? I would be ashamed to publish such error filled work.

Thursday, Jun 19 at 12:20 PM unknown wrote ...

to A WOMAN.... This scum of a man stalked and broke into these poor victim's homes...and you say they were having affairs and didn't get what they wanted out of it so they cried rape?! You are truely a disgusting human being. Justice was served and hopefully the victims and their families will have some closure...

Thursday, Jun 19 at 10:30 AM JBlm1 wrote ...

A WOMAN- your comment is a disgrace to women.

Thursday, Jun 19 at 10:21 AM CRC 4 Lyfe wrote ...

Wow, I feel much better about our judicial system, knowing that level-headed people like Mr. Nave are being selected for the honor of jury duty.

Thursday, Jun 19 at 8:46 AM Unknown wrote ...

It's good to see justice served in a case like this. That man will have plenty of time to think about what he did and how he hurts so many people with his actions.

Thursday, Jun 19 at 8:19 AM tk wrote ...

35 counts does not mean 35 rapes people! 1 rape can produce 10 charges! Who ever translated this into an affair with him is very uneducated about our legal system

Thursday, Jun 19 at 8:00 AM Amy wrote ...

E. Edwards, I tend to agree. I struggled getting through the first few paragraphs because they kept repeating themselves. Terrible coverage on this topic.

Thursday, Jun 19 at 7:36 AM Kris wrote ...

In response to "A Woman", one rape come as more than one charge. It was 4 rapes, 35 charges. Always so quick to blame the victim. You've obviously never been assaulted.

Thursday, Jun 19 at 6:32 AM Anonymous wrote ...

I am sure there are more victems out there who were too afraid/ashamed to come foreward. Rapes by policemen happen more than anyone knows. I too was a victem many years ago and I was young and afraid and I was threatened not to talk so I didn't I moved far away.

Thursday, Jun 19 at 6:31 AM A Woman wrote ...

It is sad because we all know that a man can not rape you more than once unless you are his capture. Okay once, on him, twice on you, but more than that? Therefore, it seems these woman were having an affair and didn't get what they wanted so called rape. This is so sad for real victims of rape of the families and tax dollars.

Thursday, Jun 19 at 6:25 AM Bruce W wrote ...

What are great liar this guy must have been. To convince his family that he did not do this after five different women accuse him, and a court of law finds him guilty. I know court systems have wrongly convicted before, but it amazes me she/they can stand by a man like that.

Thursday, Jun 19 at 6:19 AM Lex., KY wrote ...

I agree with E.Edwards; did the news editor quit? This story has so many grammatical errors it's hard to follow!

Thursday, Jun 19 at 4:58 AM Randy L. wrote ...

This man was railroaded. He didn't commit the crimes and has ben wrongfully convited. I hope his appeal provides more justice than his trial.

Thursday, Jun 19 at 3:34 AM Surfdude wrote ...

Yep article poorly written doesn't answer some basic questions. Because of confusion went ahead and researched the story. Aparently there is some conflicting information. One of the witnesses indicated he was circumcized (wife says he is not). An aparent DNA test was inconclusive(could find details on the results)? More court details could have helped me form a better opinion. Is he guilty? If he is the right man I say good deal. If not then the rapeist is still at large...

Wednesday, Jun 18 at 11:42 PM OMGitsbrandX wrote ...

I agree with Mr Edwards. The article looks like it was written by my fifth grade child.

Wednesday, Jun 18 at 11:21 PM ex-bloomingtonite wrote ...

I've been following this story ever since the news broke. The Bloomington police were slow to bring charges against Pelo, and even officially the kept the case open after Pelo was arrested. Justice was served, but in spite of the Bloomington Police, not to their credit!

Wednesday, Jun 18 at 10:51 PM Andrea wrote ...

If he did it, he deserves everything he got. If he didn't, I feel bad for him. But then again, how could 4 women come forward with claims that he raped them and it not be true? So I reiterate, he deserves everything he's getting!

Wednesday, Jun 18 at 10:05 PM Mike in Portland wrote ...

I'd like to thank E.Edwards for pointing out that 'he' thinks this is a 'messily' written article. Hey Ed! Please to be pointing out, women were hurt by the rape of a Peace Officer. Who cares how it's written? The subject is the harm that befell these women. Let's see, Rape or Messily written? You decide.

Wednesday, Jun 18 at 9:13 PM Strummer wrote ...

The Bloomington police department acted in the best interests of the citizens of our fair town by arresting and throwing this man in jail!!! Fine work by the hard working men who protect us everyday. Thanks!!!!!!!!!

Wednesday, Jun 18 at 9:06 PM E.Edwards wrote ...

Man, what a messily written article. Didn't this case deserve a better writer for the article?

Wednesday, Jun 18 at 8:47 PM concerned reader wrote ...

WHAT TOOK SO LONG??? I FEEL SORRY FOR HIS CHILDREN AND HIS CO-WORKERS HIS WIFE,,, IS JUST AS CRAZY AS HE IS

Wednesday, Jun 18 at 8:34 PM dm wrote ...

GOOD...now he'll have that done to him in prison.

Wednesday, Jun 18 at 8:26 PM Chris R wrote ...

Easy there unknown...he was a county sherrif and has nothing to do with government policing...the problem with America is we try to pin everything on the government...not everything is the governments fault..you should really put the blames where it belongs...with the guilty officer...there is no reason not to trust the Bloomington Police just beacuse of a bad apple!!

Wednesday, Jun 18 at 8:19 PM Ella wrote ...

Whoops --- later it says "28 charges of aggravated criminal sexual assault related to the 4 rapes" --- 35 COUNTS (charges) related to the rapes

Wednesday, Jun 18 at 8:19 PM Jenney wrote ...

This is a response to Ryan. I believe you should find more out about the case before you talk about things you don't understand. Each contact can bring a charge. If you were assaulted multiple times, would you only bring one charge? I don't think so.

Wednesday, Jun 18 at 8:17 PM Ella wrote ...

Ryan - it would be 35 separate incidents of rape, he must have raped each woman more than once

Wednesday, Jun 18 at 8:02 PM Tom wrote ...

Justice served. His wife needs to open her eyes and divorce the loser. Plus, it's not 4 rapes and stalking, 4 women were raped several times, hence the 35 counts, and a fifth one was stalked.

Wednesday, Jun 18 at 8:00 PM lisa p wrote ...

If he commited more than 1 sexual act, they each count. If he raped them more than once, each act should count against him. That is how he can have more than 4 rape charges.

Wednesday, Jun 18 at 7:40 PM Erin - Seattle wrote ...

Exagerate Rape? 30 COUNTS - INVOLVING Rape..... sodomy, forcable penetration with an object... Do you understand now?

Wednesday, Jun 18 at 7:36 PM Shar wrote ...

Nice to see a high profile rape get prosecuted. It is so hard for women to go to court against a rapist, and so easy for the pervert to get off. I wish I had the media on my side when I had to go to court. I wish the victims well, I truly understand how hard it has been for them. Time to move on.

Wednesday, Jun 18 at 7:32 PM Chris wrote ...

To Ryan: If he raped each woman more than once, then he would get charged for each rape; not the number of women raped.

Wednesday, Jun 18 at 6:41 PM Ryan wrote ...

Its confusingly stupid to say there is 35 counts of rape on 4 woman and stalking a fifth. Isn't that 4 rapes and stalking? (news always has to exaggerate stuff).

Wednesday, Jun 18 at 6:21 PM Terry wrote ...

Can't believe there are no comments on this yet..lol. Looks to me like justice served! There are enough bad people in the world. The less bad police we have...the better.

Wednesday, Jun 18 at 4:02 PM unknown wrote ...

it is a shame that you can't even trust the people that work with the goverment...wouldn't you think you're supposed to feel safe with the cops? hhmmm...i'm glad he got caught and who knows how many others cops are out there playing honest daytime, but peverts at night!

Wednesday, Jun 18 at 12:31 PM Bloomington Woman wrote ...

Justice has been served.

Wednesday, Jun 18 at 12:19 PM Mike H. wrote ...

HIP HIP HURRAYYYYY..... Justice is served

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