Grand Jury Indicts 22, Including Koester, Yocum

An Effingham County grand jury Wednesday indicted 22 individuals for various offenses.

One of those indicted was Gregory Yocum of Effingham on a count of aggravated DUI. The 56-year-old Yocum was charged in connection with a fatal incident in which his vehicle struck a pedestrian, resulting in the pedestrian's death.

41-year-old Wesley Blumer of Effingham was struck by the vehicle driven by Yocum about 9:30pm on December 26 along US 45 at the north edge of Heartville. Police said Blumer was walking northbound in the northbound lane of the highway when struck by the Yocum vehicle. 

Yocum was cited for DUI alcohol at the time of the crash. The grand jury indictment of aggravated DUI takes note of the death that resulted from the incident and also that if Yocum is found guilty, it would be his fourth conviction for DUI. The charge is a Class 2 felony, punishable by up to three to seven years in prison, and the way the offense is charged, if Yocum is found guilty, prison time is mandatory.

Yocum is next due in court on January 28.

Also indicted Wednesday was 21-year-old David Koester of Effingham, who has admitted that a gunshot wound he suffered December 19 was accidentally self-inflicted. Koester originally said he was running his dog when shots fired by an unknown individual struck him, resulting in a manhunt in an area northwest of Effingham.

Koester was indicted on counts of unlawful possession of firearm without a valid FOID card, disorderly conduct for making a false 911 call, and obstructing justice for telling authorities he was shot by someone when he had caused the wound.

The disorderly conduct and obstructing justice counts are Class 4 felonies, punishable by up to one to three years in prison, although probation is an option. The unlawful possession count is a Class 3 felony, punishable by up to three to five years in prison, although probation is an option.

Following the return of the indictments, Judge Kimberly Koester set David Koester's bond at $25,000.