Effingham Man Gets 5-1/2 Year Prison Term

On the brink of trial, an Effingham man has accepted a 5-1/2 year prison sentence on a felony domestic battery count.

44-year-old Tommy Greg Watts pleaded guilty to the charge over the noon hour, just ahead of the start of jury selection.  Watts admitted to shoving 23-year-old Brittny Kistler of Effingham last September 27 at an Effingham apartment complex, causing Kistler to strike her head and sustain injury.

A count of aggravated domestic battery was dismissed as part of the negotiated plea agreement.

Effingham County Assistant State's Attorney Scott Ealy, who prosecuted the case, thanked City Police Corporals Matt Sager and Danny Lake for their work on the case.  Ealy said, "Corporals Sager and Lake took immediate control at the scene of this incident and did excellent work in preserving the evidence for courtroom use."

Watts is currently being held in Effingham County Jail awaiting transport to the Illinois Department of Corrections.