Greene County man sentenced to IDOC

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By Carmen Ensinger

A Greene County man has been sentenced to two years in prison after pleading guilty in two separate felony cases in Greene County Circuit Court on Sept. 15.
John F. Kessinger, 53, pled guilty to Unlawful Possession of Methamphetamine, a Class 3 Felony and Driving While License Suspended, a Class 4 Felony.
Greene County Circuit Court Judge Zachary Schmidt sentenced Kessinger to two years in the Illinois Department of Corrections, Adult Division, with credit for time served on each case. The sentences will run concurrently.
According to Greene County States Attorney Craig M. Grummel, the driving offense occurred on April 4, 2024 in White Hall, when Kessinger was found operating a red 2001 Mazda despite his driver’s license having been suspended due to a Statutory Summary Suspension. At the time of sentencing, Kessinger had already been convicted of driving while license suspended on four prior occasions.
The drug offense occurred on or about July 11, 2025 in Greene County when Kessinger was found in possession of less than five grams of a substance containing methamphetamine.
“Kessinger has repeatedly shown disregard for the law, both by continuing to drive illegally for decades and by engaging in dangerous drug activity,” Grummel said. “This concurrent sentence ensures accountability while also protecting the safety of the community.”
Kessinger was represented by Public Defender Elliott Turpin. Both cases were prosecuted by Grummel.