Jury Finds Dieterich Man Guilty of Class X Felony Habitual Criminal Count, Other Charges

An Effingham County jury Thursday found Dieterich resident Scott Langford guilty of a Class X felony count of being an armed habitual criminal.

(SCOTT LANGFORD)

The 36-year-old Langford was also found guilty of unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon, reckless discharge of a firearm, aggravated discharge of a firearm, and possession of ammunition by a felon.

The charges stem from an incident in October of 2017 in Dieterich. Effingham County sheriff's deputies were called to a residence on a complaint that a firearm was discharged inside the residence. Patrol deputies responded to the area and spoke with a victim and witnesses to the incident. They alleged Langford fired a shot at them while they were present inside the residence.

Langford was taken into custody about two weeks later at a mobile home in Effingham. Effingham City Police Department and the Illinois State Police assisted sheriff's deputies in making the arrest.

The jury deliberated close to 2-1/2 hours before returning their verdicts. In addition to the guilty verdicts, the jury found Langford not guilty of contributing to the delinquency of a minor and endangering the life or health of a child. The verdicts followed three days of testimony in Effingham County Circuit Court.

Langford's bond has been revoked. His case will be back in court on September 1 for a hearing before the matter goes to sentencing.