FULTON COUNTY, Ill. (25 News) – A former treasurer of Canton’s Friendship Festival has pleaded not guilty to alleged theft.
Craig West appeared in court Tuesday morning, where he was appointed a public defender and had a preliminary hearing waived.
He has been charged with a felony for allegedly stealing between $500 and $10,000 from the Canton Friendship Festival, though the exact amount is not specified.
In court, it was alleged that West “knowingly exerted unauthorized control of the property of the Friendship Festival Association located at 860 E. Post Street in Canton, knowing that the use would deprive the Friendship Festival firmly of the funds,” between Jan. 1, 2025, and July 24, 2026.
If convicted, the charge is a class 3 felony, which means he could be sentenced to 3-5 years in prison, with up to 6 months of mandatory supervised release at the discretion of the Illinois Prison Review Board.
His next court date is at 10:30 a.m. on Nov. 2.
(Reporting by Jason Howell and Angeles Ponpa, 25 News)
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