DANVILLE — Brett McGehee, 44, of Georgetown was found guilty by a Vermilion County jury of burglary, a class 2 felony on Tuesday, June 23 at the Rita B. Garman Courthouse.
According to a release from the State’s Attorney’s Office, the People presented evidence that on Sept. 12, 2023, the Vermilion County Sheriff’s Department responded in reference to a burglary. The victim reported that she and her husband had followed a truck from their property on Newell Road to a recycling business, after the occupants of the truck had stolen several items from the victims’ garage. McGehee, and a co-defendant, Gustavo Vargas, claimed they had been hired by an individual to clean up the property from which they removed the items. Investigators verified the contact information provided by the co-defendants for the alleged hiring individual, but it was found to be invalid.
State’s Attorney Jacqueline M. Lacy said, “We thank the jury for their careful service,’’ said State’s Attorney Jacqueline Lacy. “This guilty verdict holds the defendant accountable for a serious crime and we hope the victims feel a sense of closure.”
State’s Attorney Lacy also thanked the Vermilion County Sheriff’s Department for their work in the case.
The case was prosecuted by First Assistant State’s Attorney Kevin Schneider and Assistant State’s Attorney Layne Roberts. The trial was presided over by Judge Karen Wall.
A sentencing hearing is scheduled in this case for Aug. 7. Vargas was sentenced to 24 months of secon chance probation for burglary on Aug. 7, 2025.