Joshu makes first court appearance, bond set at $1 million

Bond has been set at $1 million for Phillip Joshu, a 37-year-old Decatur man, accused of having a large amount of illegal drugs in his possession and leading local law enforcement authorities on a high-speed chase on April 5.

Joshu made his initial court appearance Wednesday morning in Franklin County Circuit Court where he is facing eight felony charges stemming from the dangerous pursuit that reached speeds in excess of 100 miles per hour. When Joshu was finally apprehended the following morning on the southeast side of Benton he still had in his possession a large cache of illegal drugs that included two pounds of “crystal” meth, 100 “hits” of LSD, 30 grams of mushrooms and a half pound of marijuana. Police also found one handgun in his possession and another that he threw from his vehicle while police were in pursuit. The methamphetamine had a street value of $80,000.

Franklin County Public Defender Kevin Popit was appointed to represent Joshu and during a brief court appearance asked Judge Eric Dirnbeck to reduce bond. Troy Wise, assistant state’s attorney, argued that the bond should remain at $1 million, citing Joshu’s lengthy criminal history that includes a conviction for second-degree homicide in Macon County in 1999 and two other weapons charges. Wise also pointed out that Joshu was a “serious flight risk” noting that he drove his vehicle on railroad tracks before fleeing on foot and that he had to be tasered before he could be taken into custody. Judge Dirnbeck denied the motion to reduce bond.

Joshu was stopped on a routine traffic stop for speeding on April 5 in West Frankfort while he was traveling northbound on Route 37. When the officer approached the vehicle he noticed a handgun in the floorboard and told Joshu to exit the car. Instead, Joshu sped off with the officer in pursuit and speeds exceeded 100 miles per hour during the six mile distance to Benton, where authorizes there were asked to assist. Joshu turned off Route 37 on to Hudelson street toward Benton Community Park.

Near the point where Hudelson Street intersects with South Du Quoin Street Joshu turned his vehicle on to railroad tracks and drove a short distance before the car became stalled. He then fled on foot into a wooded area near the Benton Park. Officers from West Frankfort, West City, Franklin County Sheriffs Office, Illinois State Police, Christopher and Benton responded, conducting searches and investigating leads throughout the night. 

At approximately 7:45 a.m. the following morning (April 6) an officer from the West City Police Department spotted Joshu on Greenwood Street, on the southeast side of Benton. Officers from the Franklin County Sheriff’s Department, West City and Benton ultimately located Joshu near the 1000 block of South McLeansboro where he was taken into custody. The 6-feet-3, 240 pound Joshu resisted arrest and had to be tasered before he was finally subdued and arrested. The same morning as the arrest was made, an Ameren employee reported finding a handgun just off Route 37 south of Benton.  The gun was a .45 caliber pistol later determined to be stolen out of Christian County, IL.