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Bramlett sentenced to 30 months in IDOC

By Bethany Krajelis, The Southern

Friday, September 21, 2007 1:22 AM CDT

MURPHYSBORO - After sitting in jail for 146 days, Shane Bramlett, 18, of Ava was sentenced Thursday to 30 months in the Illinois Department of Corrections on charges of intimidation and violating an order of protection.

Bramlett, who was arrested in April after threatening to shoot people at Murphysboro High School's prom, agreed to Jackson County Judge W. Charles Grace's recommendation to participate in the Impact Incarceration Program. He described the program to Bramlett as "a 120-day period of cracking a whip over you."

The IDOC must approve court-referred offenders to the program, which lasts from 120 to 180 days and is targeted toward offenders between the ages of 17 and 35.

If Bramlett is successful in the program, he would be released. If not, he would serve the 30-month prison sentence with his 146 days of jail time credited. Grace also ordered a period of one-year mandatory supervised release.

The sentence stems from Bramlett's April 28 arrest when he was charged with making a terrorist threat, intimidation, harassment by telephone and violating an order of protection after threatening to shoot people at the prom.

State's Attorney Mike Wepsiec decided not to prosecute two of the charges, and Bramlett pleaded guilty in August to the intimidation and order of protection charges.

Bramlett's family described the incident as a love triangle involving a boy threatening another boy over a girl. The girl was Bramlett's ex-girlfriend, Casey Rushing, who along with her mother, Tina Rushing, of Gorham, testified at Thursday's sentencing hearing.

Rushing told Grace that Bramlett's actions have made her scared for her life, adding that she feels "like I have to have eyes in the back of my head."

Also testifying was Bramlett's uncle, Tommy Stowers, who said once Bramlett is released, he would live with him, follow a curfew, attend church and get a job to help pay the bills.

Bramlett did not testify.

bethany.krajelis@thesouthern.com

351-5816