A Viola senior citizen has been sentenced to 30-months’ probation in a child porn case. 78-year-old Richard Hockenberry entered the open plea to two Class 2 felonies in July. The charges were the result of a search warrant executed at his home in August of 2021 by Illinois State Police investigators along with the Illinois Attorney General’s High Tech Crime Bureau and the Mercer County Sheriff’s Office. Tuesday in Mercer County Circuit Court, State’s Attorney Grace Simpson argued for a three-year prison sentence with Hockenberry’s attorney seeking probation. Judge Matthew Durbin decided on a 30-month probation term plus 180 days in the Mercer County Jail, which is stayed pending strict compliance with the probation guidelines. Hockenberry must also register as a sex offender for life and cannot have contact with anyone under the age of 18. In addition, he must complete sex offender treatment.
