Warrant Arrest
On January 11, 2022 the U.S. Marshals Colorado Violent Offender Task Force, which included deputies from Colorado Springs and Denver, as well as Task Force Officers from the Otero County Sheriff’s Office, Colorado Department of Corrections, Drug Enforcement Administration and Immigration and Customs Enforcement, located and arrested Xavier Lewis, 30 of Colorado, on an outstanding Jackson County, Illinois warrant. The warrant includes charges of Aggravated Discharge of a Firearm, Aggravated Battery with a Firearm, Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Deliver Cannabis (>5,000 grams) and Cannabis Trafficking.
Lewis, along with others, was originally indicted in Jackson County in 2018 as a result of an investigation after Carbondale Police Officer Trey Harris was struck by gunfire as he and another officer pursued a vehicle occupied by shooting suspects who opened fired on the officers on July 31st, 2016.
Lewis is currently incarcerated in the Bent County Jail in Colorado awaiting extradition to Illinois. The original investigation involved the Illinois State Police, the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, the Carbondale Police Department, the Metro-East Forensic Science Lab, the Southern Illinois Enforcement Group, the Kansas Bureau of Investigation, the Salina, Kansas Police Department and the U.S. Marshal’s Service.
Xavier Lewis, 30 of Colorado
Anyone with information about this incident is encouraged to contact the City of Carbondale Police Department at (618) 549-2121. You may also call the Carbondale/SIU Crime Stoppers anonymous tip line at (618) 549-COPS (2677) or the Murphysboro/Jackson County anonymous tip line at (618) 687-COPS (2677). Anonymous tips may also be made by selecting the “Crime Stoppers” tab located on the main page of this website. Please help yourself, along with your county, its communities and the university campus by using these numbers if you witness, or have any information pertaining to, a crime. Cash rewards for information which leads to an arrest are also made anonymously. Remember, crime doesn’t pay, but Crime Stoppers does!
***** Prior Releases ****
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Michael C. Carr, State’s Attorney
Monday, October 28, 2019
MATTHEW D. MANLEY, WICHITA, KANSAS, SENTENCED TO THE ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS IN CONSPIRACY CASE WHICH RESULTED IN THE INJURY TO CARBONDALE POLICE OFFICER
The State’s Attorney for Jackson County, Illinois, Michael C. Carr, announced today that Matthew D. Manley, age 28, of Wichita, Kansas, was sentenced to nine years in the Illinois Department of Corrections for charges related to the shooting of Carbondale Police Officer Trey Harris on July 31, 2016.
On October 28, 2019, Manley entered a negotiated plea of guilty to Conspiracy to Possess with the Intent to Deliver more than 5,000 Grams of a Substance Containing Cannabis between November 2014 and August 2, 2016, a Class 1 Felony. As part of his plea, he agreed to cooperate in the ongoing prosecution of the case.
Manley admitted that he, along with others, conspired to possess with the intent to deliver more than 5,000 grams of a substance containing cannabis in Jackson and Williamson Counties during the period of November 2014 through August 2, 2016. Manley further admitted that in July 2016, he and other co-conspirators came to Carbondale, Illinois, to collect on a debt from a previous cannabis deal. In the course of that debt collection, shots were fired in the area of the 700 block of North Robert A. Stalls Avenue in Carbondale. Carbondale police officers who were patrolling the area heard the shots and observed a vehicle speed away from the scene. During the pursuit, Alex Karcher, 24, of Salina, Kansas, discharged a firearm seven times at the pursuing police car as the vehicles traveled on Dillinger Road north of Carbondale. One of those shots struck Carbondale police officer Trey Harris in the eye, thereby causing great bodily harm. Manley was not in the car which was pursued by the Carbondale Police officers and did not shoot a firearm during the incident or prior to the chase.
In November 2018, Karcher was sentenced serve a total of 27½ years in the Illinois Department of Corrections, with a three (3) year period of Mandatory Supervised Release. He was also sentenced to serve 30 months of Conditional Discharge following his release from prison.
The investigation and prosecution, which is ongoing, was conducted by the Illinois State Police, the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, the Carbondale Police Department, the Metro-East Forensic Science Lab, the Southern Illinois Enforcement Group, the Kansas Bureau of Investigation, and Salina, Kansas Police Department and the U.S. Marshal’s Service. State’s Attorney Michael C. Carr was responsible for the prosecution.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Michael C. Carr, State’s Attorney
Friday, February 01, 2019
ALEX B. KARCHER, SALINA, KANSAS, SENTENCED TO THE ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS IN SHOOTING
OF A CARBONDALE POLICE OFFICER
The State’s Attorney for Jackson County, Illinois, Michael C. Carr, announced today that Alex. B. Karcher, age 24, of Salina, Kansas, was sentenced to serve 27 and 1/2 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections for charges related to the shooting of Carbondale Police Officer Trey Harris on July 31, 2016.
On November 13, 2018, Karcher entered an open plea of guilty to Conspiracy to Possess with the Intent to Deliver more than 5,000 Grams of a Substance Containing Cannabis, a Class 1 Felony; Aggravated Battery to a Police Officer, a Class X Felony; and Aggravated Discharge of a Firearm, a Class X Felony.
Karcher admitted that he, along with others, conspired to possess with the intent to deliver more than 5,000 grams of a substance containing cannabis in Jackson and Williamson Counties during the period of December 2014 through August 2, 2016. Karcher further admitted that on or about July 31, 2016, he and other co-conspirators came to Carbondale, Illinois, to collect on a debt from a previous cannabis deal. In the course of that debt collection, shots were fired in the area of the 700 block of North Robert A. Stalls Avenue. Carbondale police officers who were patrolling the area heard the shots and observed a vehicle in which Karcher was a passenger speed away from the scene. During the pursuit, Karcher discharged a firearm seven times at the pursuing police car as the vehicles traveled on Dillinger Road north of Carbondale. One of those shots struck Carbondale police officer Trey Harris in the eye, thereby causing great bodily harm.
Karcher was sentenced to serve a total of 27 ½ years in the Illinois Department of Corrections, followed by a three (3) year period of Mandatory Supervised Release. He was also sentenced to serve 30 months of Conditional Discharge following his release from prison.
The investigation was conducted by the Illinois State Police, the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, the Carbondale Police Department, the Metro-East Forensic Science Lab, the Southern Illinois Enforcement Group, the Kansas Bureau of Investigation, and Salina, Kansas Police Department. State’s Attorney Michael C. Carr was responsible for the prosecution.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Michael C. Carr, State’s Attorney
Tuesday, November 13, 2018
ALEX B. KARCHER, SALINA, KANSAS, PLEADS GUILTY IN SHOOTING OF A CARBONDALE POLICE OFFICER
The State’s Attorney for Jackson County, Illinois, Michael C. Carr, announced today that on Tuesday, November 13, 2018, Alex. B. Karcher, age 24, of Salina, Kansas, plead guilty to charges related to the shooting of Carbondale Police Officer Trey Harris on July 31, 2016, in Jackson County Circuit Court.
Karcher entered an open plea of guilty to Count 1 - Conspiracy to Possess with the Intent to Deliver more than 5,000 Grams of a Substance Containing Cannabis, a Class 1 Felony; Count 2- Aggravated Battery to a Police Officer, a Class X Felony; and Count 3 - Aggravated Discharge of a Firearm, a Class X Felony. Counts 4-8 involving other shots fired at the police car were dismissed considering the defendant’s plea.
Count 1, Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute Cannabis involving more than 5,000 grams, carries a potential sentence of 4-15 years’ imprisonment. It is a probationable offense. Count 2, Aggravated Battery to a Police Officer, carries a potential sentence of 15 to 60 years and is not probationable. Count 3, Aggravated Discharge of a Firearm at a Vehicle Known to be Occupied by a Police Officer, has a sentencing range of 10-45 years and is not probationable. Because the shot which hit Officer Harris caused great bodily harm, any sentence imposed on these counts must be consecutive. The State has agreed to recommend an overall sentence which does not exceed 30 years and the charges that Karcher plead guilty to require at least a 25-year sentence.
At the hearing on his plea, Karcher admitted that he, along with others, conspired to possess with the intent to deliver more than 5,000 grams of a substance containing cannabis in Jackson and Williamson Counties during the period of December 2014 through August 2, 2016. He admitted that on July 31, 2016, that he and other co-conspirators came to Carbondale, Illinois, to collect on a debt from a previous drug deal. On Sunday evening, July 31, 2016, he admitted that he discharged a firearm seven times at the pursuing police car which gave chase to the vehicle he was riding in after officers observed the vehicle speed away from a shooting scene in the 700 block of North Robert A. Stalls, in Carbondale. One of those shots, fired on Dillinger Road north of Carbondale, struck Carbondale police officer Trey Harris in the eye, thereby causing great bodily harm.
Karcher is currently being held in the Jackson County Jail without bond. A sentencing hearing has not yet been set.
The investigation was conducted by the Illinois State Police, the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, the Carbondale Police Department, the Metro-East Forensic Science Lab, the Southern Illinois Enforcement Group, the Kansas Bureau of Investigation, and Salina, Kansas Police Department. State’s Attorney Michael Carr was responsible for the prosecution.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Michael C. Carr, State’s Attorney
Thursday, August 09, 2018
ALEX B. KARCHER INDICTED IN JACKSON COUNTY FOR SHOOTING A CARBONDALE POLICE OFFICER
The State’s Attorney for Jackson County, Illinois, Michael C. Carr, announced today that a Jackson County grand jury has returned a Superseding Indictment on August 9, 2018, charging Alex. B. Karcher, age 24, of Salina, Kansas, with charges related to the shooting of Carbondale Police Officer Trey Harris on July 31, 2016. Karcher was previously indicted with four others for conspiracy to possess with the intent to deliver more than 5,000 grams of a substance containing cannabis in Jackson and Williamson Counties. The trial on that case was scheduled to begin Monday but was continued considering the additional charges returned by the grand jury. In addition to the charge of Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute more than 5,000 grams of Cannabis, Karcher now faces one count of aggravated battery and six counts of aggravated discharge of a firearm, all of which are Class X felonies.
The Indictment alleges that Karcher, while acting together and in concert with others and being legally accountable for the actions of each other, without legal justification, knowingly discharged a .223 caliber firearm, thereby causing injury to Trey Harris, a person he knew to be a peace officer performing his official duties. The six counts of aggravated discharge of a Firearm allege that Karcher fired six shots which did not hit the officer from a .223 caliber firearm in the direction of a vehicle he knew to be occupied by a peace officer while the officer was engaged in the execution of his official duties.
The sentences that may be imposed range from 15 to 60 years on the aggravated battery charge, and from 10-45 years on each charge of aggravated discharge of a firearm. Probation is not available for these charges.
Karcher is currently being held in the Jackson County Jail with bond set at $2.5 million dollars and will appear on Friday in Jackson County Circuit Court on the Superseding Indictment.
The investigation is ongoing and is being pursued by the Illinois State Police, the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, the Carbondale Police Department, the Metro-East Forensic Science Lab, the Southern Illinois Enforcement Group, the Kansas Bureau of Investigation, and Salina, Kansas Police Department. State’s Attorney Michael Carr is responsible for the prosecution.
The Indictment is merely a charge and is not proof of a crime. The defendants are presumed to be innocent of the charges until proved guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
Release on 05-19-2017 - Officers Receive Medals of Valor
The City of Carbondale Police Department is pleased to announce that an awards ceremony was held on May 18, 2017 to recognize two of its police officers. Officers Trey Harris and Corey Brinkley were awarded the Chief’s Medal of Valor, the highest honor awarded by the Department. Harris and Brinkley earned the medals during an incident on July 31, 2016 by demonstrating a great degree of selflessness, courage and devotion to duty despite great personal risk during a pursuit of armed suspects. Officer Harris was shot and injured during the incident.
Release on 08-07-2016 - Officer Involved Shooting Update
During the evening hours of 08-07-2016 and early morning hours of 08-08-16, the I-135/I-70 Drug Task Force, Saline County (KS) Sheriff’s Office, Salina (KS) Police Department, McPherson (KS) Police Department, Saline County (KS) Attorney’s Office, and the Kansas Bureau of Investigation arrested three suspects for Conspiracy to Commit Capital Murder in Saline County, KS. The suspects are identified as:
Alex Karcher, 22,
Xavier McCray, 22
Xavier Lewis, 24
All three subjects were booked into the Saline County, Kansas, Jail with a $1,000,000 bond.
The taskforce investigation team, led by the Illinois State Police, with assistance from the City of Carbondale Police Department and numerous local, state and federal law enforcement agencies, is continuing a comprehensive investigation, and is cooperating with the ongoing investigation in Kansas.
The City of Carbondale is offering a $15,000 reward for information which leads to the identity, arrest and conviction of the suspect(s) in this incident.
Release on 08-03-2016 -Officer Involved Shooting Update
After conferring with the family of the officer involved in the 07-31-2016 shooting incident, the City of Carbondale Police Department has received permission to release a photograph of Officer Trey Harris, who has been employed by the Department for three years and three months.
The taskforce investigation team, led by the Illinois State Police, with assistance from the City of Carbondale Police Department and numerous local, state and federal law enforcement agencies, is continuing a comprehensive investigation into the shooting incident. We will release information the moment we are able to provide an investigative update, but at this time, there is no information we are able to release. The City of Carbondale is offering a $10,000 reward for information which leads to the identity, arrest and conviction of the suspect(s) in this incident.
Based on the number of inquiries received by the Police Department, and in consultation with the family, we request at this time that anyone wishing to donate monetarily to Officer Harris bring those donations to the Carbondale Public Safety Building, with checks payable to “CPD Injured Officers Fund”. Funds may also be mailed to the address listed below. The Department will hold those funds in escrow and the funds, in their entirety will be provided directly to Officer Harris or to an official fundraising account if/when one is established.
To donate to Officer Harris, please make checks or money orders payable to the:
City of Carbondale Police Department
“CPD Injured Officers Fund”
501 South Washington Street
Carbondale, Illinois 62901
Release on 08-01-2016 - Officer Involved Shooting Update
After conferring with the officer involved in the 07-31-2016 shooting incident and his family, the City of Carbondale Police Department is identifying the injured officer as 26 year old Trey Harris, who has been employed by the Department for three years. The Department is pleased to announce that Officer Harris has been released from the St Louis area hospital. Officer Harris will require further medical treatment moving forward but we feel blessed to have him home. According to the family, there have been no official fundraising accounts or efforts established, online or otherwise. Based on the number of inquiries received by the Department, we request at this time that anyone wishing to donate monetarily to Officer Harris bring those donations to the Carbondale Public Safety Building, with checks payable to “CPD Injured Officers Fund”. The Department will ensure that the funds donated will go to Officer Harris or to an official fundraising account if/when one is established.
As of 08-02-2016 at 2:30 p.m., there is no additional information the Department is able to release regarding the investigation of this incident.
Original Release on 08-01-2016 - Officer Involved Shooting
On 07-31-2016 at 11:38 p.m., Officers of the Carbondale Police Department were on patrol in the 700 block of North Robert A. Stalls Street when they determined gunshots were being fired. While driving toward the source of the gunshots, the officers saw a tan, four-door vehicle driving away from the area at a high rate of speed. The officers attempted to stop the vehicle and a pursuit was initiated, which ultimately traveled north on North Marion Street and then east into the 2400 block of Dillinger Road. During the pursuit, at least one suspect fired several gunshots at the pursuing officers from the fleeing vehicle, striking the police car and one of the police officers which ended the pursuit. Carbondale Police Officers were unable to return fire.
The officer was immediately taken to Memorial Hospital of Carbondale where he was initially treated for a gunshot wound. The officer’s condition is reported to be serious and he has been transported to a St. Louis area hospital for additional treatment. The officer is a 26-year-old male who has been employed with the Department since 2013.
The suspect vehicle involved, a tan Pontiac Grand Prix, was later located abandoned and destroyed by fire on Dewmaine Rd in Williamson County. The suspects in the vehicle, at this time, can only described as at least two black males. All law enforcement personnel are working diligently to be able to provide a more specific description and ultimately the identity of all involved suspects. The suspects should be considered armed and dangerous. More specific descriptions of the suspects will be released as they become available.
The investigation into the incident is being led by the Illinois State Police, which is standard Carbondale Police Department procedure in incidents concerning an Officer Involved Shooting. The Carbondale Police Department is assisting the Illinois State Police, as are numerous local, state and federal agencies. The investigation into the incident is continuing. The Carbondale Police Department, along with the entire law enforcement community in our region, is asking for the public’s help by providing any information they may have regarding this incident.