Drive-by shooter sentenced

Devonte Phillips, the shooter responsible for the drive-by shooting in downtown Janesville on July 26, 2022, pled guilty in Waseca County District Court on May 4, 2023.  The plea agreement called for him going to prison for 158 months.  Judge Carol Hanks honored the plea agreement and Phillips was sentenced to prison on May 17, 2023.  The victim of the shooting attended the sentencing hearing: Phillips apologized to the victim on the record.  

Waseca County Attorney Rachel Cornelius stated, “With the assistance of the Janesville Police Department, Waseca County Sheriff’s Office, South Central Drug Investigation Unit and the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, excellent investigation was conducted by Waseca County law enforcement agencies.  These worked very closely with me on this case, and I’m pleased we were able to reach a fair and just outcome.  By coming to a plea deal, we were able to provide swift justice.”

The driver in the shooting, William Peavy, was sentenced on November 28, 2022 to 48 months in prison, pursuant to a plea agreement that he would testify against the shooter, Phillips.