•April 29, 2020•
Ricky G. Derby, 26, of Sullivan appeared in Moultrie County Circuit Court by videoconference on armed robbery charges.
During the April 20 preliminary hearing Derby and public defender Steve Jones were at the Moultrie County jail with Judge Hugh Finson and States Attorney Tracy Weaver participating via GoToMeeting videoconferencing system.
Derby entered a plea of not guilty and probable cause was found.
A jury trial is set to commence August 3, 2020.
Bethany Chief of Police Chris Nichols issued a press release about the investigation and subsequent arrest.
On the evening of October 18, 2018 at approximately 7:39pm, the Bethany Police Department and the Moultrie Co. Sheriff’s Department responded to the Casey’s General Store in Bethany for a report of an Armed Robbery. Upon arrival, officers and deputies searched the immediate area but were unable to locate the suspect.
The Bethany Police Department began an immediate investigation into the incident. During the course of this lengthy investigation, police were able to identify a suspect, Ricky G. Derby (26) of Sullivan, IL.
A warrant was issued on April 02, 2020 for Derby, charging him with the Armed Robbery. Derby was taken into custody in Jacksonville, Illinois and transported back to the Moultrie Co. jail.
Assisting Bethany PD on this case was Moultrie Co. Sheriffs Department, Sullivan Police Department and Illinois State Police.
All Suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.