
A McHenry man convicted of stealing an antique Corvette that was later lit on fire in McHenry has been sentenced to six years in prison.
James R. Henson, 54, of the 4400 block of West Bull Valley Road in McHenry, was indicted on charges of arson, unlawful possession of a stolen motor vehicle, three counts of unlawful possession of a converted motor vehicle, unlawful possession of a stolen motor vehicle, two counts of burglary and two counts of theft.
The McHenry Police Department began investigating a theft of a 1974 Corvette Stingray on October 20, 2018.
Police officers located a burned vehicle that matched the VIN number of the stolen Corvette on October 30, 2018.
The land where the Corvette was recovered was frequented by Henson, prosecutors said.
Officers located the keys of the stolen and torched Corvette at a campsite associated with Henson, prosecutors said.
The McHenry Police Department determined through their investigation that the man had stolen the vehicle.
Court documents alleged that Henson also stole an EZ-GO golf cart and burglarized multiple trailers in the 1300 block of Borden Street in McHenry in October 2018.
Henson entered into a negotiated plea deal with the McHenry County State’s Attorney’s Office.
Henson pleaded guilty to one count of theft, a Class 3 felony, in exchange for prosecutors dismissing the rest of his charges.
McHenry County Judge Michael Coppedge approved the plea deal on Wednesday and sentenced Henson to six years in the Illinois Department of Corrections.
Henson was also ordered to pay $8,500 in restitution to the victim in the case and is required to pay $1,049 in court fines and fees.
The case was investigated by members of the McHenry Police Department and prosecuted by Assistant State’s Attorney Ashur Y. Youash.