Published: July 03, 2008 09:56 am      

Three charged with helping Sheley

MORRISON, Ill. — Three Whiteside County residents have been charged with allegedly helping Nicholas Sheley throughout the past week as he reportedly killed at least one person and possibly up to seven more.

Sheley’s brother, Joshua J. Sheley, 30, of Rock Falls, Ill., was arrested on Monday and charged with helping to conceal a homicide and obstruction of justice after he reportedly contacted Jenna B. Henson, 20, of 1736 N. Griswold Ave. in Sterling, Ill., and requested permission to park a vehicle containing a body at her house.

Joshua then drove with Nicholas Sheley to Henson’s residence with a body inside the vehicle, court documents state.

The body of 93-year-old Russell R. Reed of Sterling, Ill., was discovered last Thursday in the trunk of his 2003 Buick Century, which was parked in the 1700 block of Griswold Avenue. Henson was arrested on Friday and charged with obstruction of justice after reportedly concealing clothing worn by Nicholas Sheley during the commission of a crime.

Joshua Sheley is also accused of accompanying his brother and Henson to Chicago on June 25, where he directed them to a location where evidence was discarded in a Dumpster. Court records show Joshua Sheley promised his brother he would “get him out of trouble.”

Twenty-eight-year-old Eric A. Smith, of Rock Falls, has also been charged with obstructing justice. Records state Smith also concealed clothing worn by Nicholas Sheley during the commission of a crime.

Court documents show Henson was ordered to have no contact with Nicholas Sheley, Joshua Sheley, Eric Smith and Holly Gaul, who is reportedly Nick Sheley’s girlfriend. Henson was released from the Whiteside County Law Enforcement Center on Friday after posting bond.

Joshua Sheley and Smith remain in custody. Sheley is being held on $750,000 bond, and Smith has a $100,000 bond.