Case of 2021 Entry to Local Bank After Hours Closed

The case of a man found inside a local bank after hours early last year has been closed.

34-year-old Jerome Wagnon of Effingham was arrested after being found inside the Crossroads Bank location on North Keller Drive in February 2021. An alarm shortly before 4am resulted in officers heading to the bank. Officers found broken glass that had allowed Wagnon to get inside the building. Wagnon was found to have attempted to gain entry into the bank vault. When that was unsuccessful, Wagnon began damaging items inside the bank and appeared to be trying to start a fire.

At the time of the incident, Wagnon was charged with burglary and arson. He was later found unfit to stand trial, but at a hearing Thursday, he was found to have been restored to fitness.

The burglary charge against Wagnon was dismissed, but he pleaded guilty to the arson charge. 

Wagnon was placed on three years probation and was sentenced to 180 days in the county jail, which he has already served. He was also fined.