The attorney for Jerrico Lessard, Theresa Sosalla, pleaded not guilty on behalf of the defendant during a preliminary hearing at the Henry County Courthouse on Monday. Lessard and his attorney appeared in person at the hearing, while Special Prosecutor Brian Brim, who is the assistant state’s attorney for Lee County, appeared via Zoom.
Lessard was once the Henry County Jail Administrator but resigned during an investigation by both the Henry County Sheriff’s Office and the Illinois State Police into allegations of off duty misconduct by Lessard. Lessard, who had been placed on paid administrative leave, resigned his position with the county on Jan. 23 of this year.
In addition to entering a not guilty plea, Attorney Sosalla also waived Lessard’s right to a preliminary hearing and a reading of the formal charges. A request was also made for a jury trial. A motion was made by the defense and granted by the judge to preserve the audio and video evidence.
The next hearing is set for July 18 at 10 a.m. The special prosecutor’s motion to appear via Zoom for the July pretrial hearing was also granted by the judge.
Lessard faces four counts of nonconsensual dissemination of sexual images. The charges against Lessard allege that he disseminated images of two women, known only in court documents by their initials and birthdates. Three counts allege that Lessard disseminated photos of one woman on Oct. 14, 2023. Images of a second woman were shared without permission “where intimate parts were exposed,” on June 2 of 2023.
Nonconsensual dissemination of sexual images is a Class 4 felony and if convicted, Lessard could face punishment of one to three years in prison for each count, as well as fines of up to $25,000.
