Teen Chooses Uncle Sam Over Jail Time

A Coles County teen who's had a run in with the law says he'll trade jail time for time in the United States Army. The boy was charged with breaking into several cars and criminal damage. Those charges are all felonies and could have meant prison time. Last week, a Coles County judge signed off on a plea that would reduce those felony charges to a misdemeanor if the teen enlisted in the Army. The Assistant State's Attorney John Longwell says the teen had an interest in the Army before his legal trouble, and that he pitched the idea himself. Longwell says consideration for a lesser charge varies and depends on the defendant. He adds, " I did have numerous contacts with his attorney and the recruiter and over the course of that time determined that he was a legitimate candidate." Longwell says he felt confident this teen would change his life around. The boy has 90 days from the day he entered the plea to enlist, or the state reserves the right to reinstate all felony charges.