Local Man Receives Prison Time from Two Separate Cases

A local man has been sentenced to four years in prison from two separate criminal cases.

37-year-old Tucker Ohara of Effingham was sentenced on a count of aggravated battery for use of a deadly weapon. The charge stemmed from an incident at a residence on Shelby Avenue. 

Effingham city police officers were at the residence in 2023 due to a domestic disturbance. Ohara was reportedly hiding in a closet at the residence. When officers located Ohara, an altercation ensued. Ohara was armed with knives, including a large knife in a sheath on his hip. When Ohara attempted to draw the knife, one of the city officers tackled him, resulting in injuries to the officer. Police said at the time that the officer's injuries were due to the fall, not the knife. 

Ohara was arrested following the incident, and also on a warrant charging possession of methamphetamine.

Effingham City Police Chief Jason McFarland said at the time of the incident that it could have proved lethal, had it not been for the actions of the officer.

Ohara was sentenced by Judge Marc Kelly to a four-year prison term on both the charges stemming from the incident and on the meth possession, which had occurred in 2022. Ohara will serve one year mandatory supervised release once out of prison, and was fined. He was given credit for having served 134 days in jail awaiting disposition of the cases.