THE FOLLOWING IS A VERMILION COUNTY STATE’S ATTORNEY’S
People v. Jacob Derrickson 2021-CF-98, 2022-CF-587
On March 10, 2025, Jacob Derrickson (DOB: 11/23/1992), formerly of Danville, Illinois, was sentenced in two felony cases, as part of an agreed plea, for a total of 15 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections. In 2021-CF-98 Derrickson pleaded guilty to Aggravated Fleeing / Attempting to Elude a Police Officer, a class 4 felony, for 2 years in prison. In 2022-CF-587, the defendant pleaded guilty to Aggravated Battery with a Firearm, a class X felony, for a sentence of 15 years in prison, to be served at 85%. Sentences are to be served concurrently. Following his term of imprisonment, Derrickson will serve 3 years mandatory supervised release. The plea was presided over by Judge Mark S. Goodwin.
In 2021-CF-98 the People presented evidence that on February 26, 2021, an officer with the Danville Police Department observed a vehicle commit Illinois Vehicle Code violations in the area of Griffin and Seminary Streets. The officer identified the driver as Jacob Derrickson by a distinctive tattoo on his face. The officer initiated a traffic stop but the vehicle fled, reaching 60 miles per hour in a 30 mile per hour zone. The officer lost sight of the vehicle, which was located moments later wrecked into a ravine at the corner of Collett and Harrison Streets. The vehicle had been abandoned in the ravine, but officers located a prescription medication bottle with Jacob Derrickson’s name on the label. Upon further investigation, it was discovered that the vehicle had been rented to Jacob Derrickson.
In 2022-CF-587 the People also presented evidence that on November 7, 2022, at approximately 1:00 P.M., Danville Police responded to the 1800 block of Voorhees for a report of shots fired. Upon arrival, officers observed a male victim laying in the roadway who had been shot multiple times. Officers found spent .40 caliber casings at the scene. Witnesses reported seeing a masked subject in dark clothing run up and shoot the victim, before fleeing on foot. Another witness reported that a person matching the description of the suspect was seen in the wooded area several hundred feet east of the scene. Officers surrounded the area and Jacob Derrickson subsequently emerged from the woods. In the area where he had been hiding, police located a mask, a .40 caliber handgun, and a bag containing an identification card for Jacob Derrickson.
Forensic testing showed that gunshot residue was present on Derrickson’s hand. Testing completed by the Illinois State Police Forensic Laboratory confirmed Derrickson’s DNA was present on the handgun.
State’s Attorney Jacqueline Lacy expressed her gratitude to the Danville Police Department for their determination to protect the community from this habitual, violent offender. She added, “We are thankful to those who spoke up to provide key information that led to the suspect’s location. Their willingness to come forward played an important role in keeping our community safe and we are grateful for their courage.”
