FLORIDA PUTS ARMED OFFENDERS IN PRISON. ILLINOIS? NOT SO MUCH: One-man crime spree in Springfield out after 1-year of 8-year sentence

Meet Reginald Deshazo. He’s the lucky beneficiary of Illinois “Dog Years In Reverse” prison sentencing system.

He’s not wasted any time before returning to is previous occupation. In fact, he’s been a busy boy since getting released after serving just over 1-year in custody on an 8-year sentence for Aggravated Armed Robbery with a firearm in Sangamon County, Illinois.

Man accused of robbery spree paroled after serving one year of 8-year sentence

Springfield, IL (State Journal-Register) – Springfield police say a man on parole after serving one year of an eight-year prison sentence is responsible for a string of dollar and convenience store robberies in the past month and a half.

Reginald B. Deshazo, 33, of the 1700 block of East Reynolds Street was detained after officers were sent to the Family Video at 19th Street and North Grand Avenue about 8:30 p.m. Monday for a report of a hold-up.

After Deshazo’s arrest, police obtained a warrant and searched his home and allegedly found evidence that potentially links him to seven other robberies.

…Records show Deshazo robbed a nail salon on Wabash Avenue the morning of Dec. 12, 2014. He was convicted of aggravated robbery, a Class 1 felony, on Aug. 7, 2015, and sentenced to eight years in prison.

…Seven weeks later, Springfield police believe, Deshazo kicked off a string of robberies when he walked into the Dollar General at 2015 North Grand Ave. E., displayed a handgun and demanded money.

…Nicole Wilson, spokeswoman for the Illinois Department of Corrections, said Deshazo was released early because he successfully completed 120 days in the IDOC Impact Incarceration Program, or boot camp.

From the IDOC Offender Search page:

S16937 – DESHAZO, REGINALD B.

Parent Institution:	VIENNA CORRECTIONAL CENTER
Offender Status:	PAROLE
Location:	PAROLE DISTRICT 3

PHYSICAL PROFILE

Date of Birth:	03/11/1983
Weight:	168 lbs.
Hair:	Black
Sex:	Male
Height:	5 ft. 10 in.
Race:	Black
Eyes:	Brown

MARKS, SCARS, & TATTOOS
TATTOO, ABDOMEN – ANGEL
TATTOO, CHEST – “ONLY GOD CAN JUDGE ME”
TATTOO, ARM, RIGHT UPPER – “BAKER” FLAMES
TATTOO, ARM, LEFT UPPER – SKELETON, CLOWN,MONEY,FLAMES

ADMISSION / RELEASE / DISCHARGE INFO

Admission Date:	08/20/2015
Parole Date:	01/01/2016
Projected Discharge Date:	01/01/2018

SENTENCING INFORMATION

MITTIMUS:	14CF1359
CLASS:	1
COUNT:	1
OFFENSE:	AGG ROBBERY/INDICATE ARM W/FIR
CUSTODY DATE:	12/14/2014
SENTENCE:	8 Years 0 Months 0 Days
COUNTY:	SANGAMON
SENTENCE DISCHARGED?:	NO

Florida puts armed offenders away.

In Florida, if you commit an armed robbery with a firearm, that’s a first-degree felony punishable by up to 30 years in prison. Possession of the firearm itself adds ten years hard time to the sentence. Discharge the firearm, it adds twenty years. If someone is struck by the bullet, regardless of the severity of the injury, that act adds 25 years to the sentence. The sentence enhancements are not subject to plea bargains, parole or probation. They must be served in full.

Florida today, in addition to lots of sunshine, great beaches and warm weather, enjoys the lowest recorded rate of firearm violent crime in that state’s history.

It’s not from a paucity of firearms, either. Roughly one in five adults has a concealed carry license in Florida.

Illinois? Not so much.

So, Florida sends their armed violent offenders away to prison for a generation or more. Illinois sends them to a 4-month boot camp, then releases them back into society.

Guess which program is saving lives and making communities a safer place to raise a family and enjoy a safer society?

This guy wasn’t an aberration, either. Also from the same State Journal-Register story:

Two men charged in connection with a 2012 double murder on North Ninth Street were living in a nearby housing facility for parolees. A parolee was also arrested for allegedly killing a homeless woman on Ninth Street in 2013.