Tazewell County Sheriff's Office
Sheriff
Jeffrey Lower
Welcome to the Tazewell County Sheriff’s Office Website. The Sheriff is the Chief Law Officer of the County and the sole Law Enforcement Official elected by the people. Many believe that the Office of the Sheriff is the main keeper of accountability between Law Enforcement and the Public. In the spirit of accountability and responsiveness, we are pleased to provide this publicly accessible site on the World Wide Web. We want you to take a look at who we are and our role in Serving and Protect.
New Scam - NHTSA scam/phishing notice.
New Scam - NHTSA scam/phishing notice.
Here are the biggest red flags:
Fake web address
The link shown is: nhtsa.govkiss.autos/dmv
That is not an official U.S. government domain.
Legit federal websites end in .gov (example: NHTSA official website).
This URL uses “govkiss.autos” to make it look official.
NHTSA doesn’t issue traffic tickets
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration sets vehicle safety standards, recalls, crash testing, and safety campaigns.
They generally do not send individuals notices for unpaid traffic citations. Traffic tickets are typically handled by:
local police departments
county courts
state DMV agencies
Urgency/fear tacticsPhrases like:
“Failure to appear may result in default order”
“License and vehicle registration suspension”
“Referred to collections”
These are common pressure tactics scammers use to make people click quickly.
Odd formatting/language
“Press and hold the link in the notice”
“Official Use Only”
Generic names like “Daniel Carter” and “Susan Reynolds”These often show up in fraudulent notices.
No real identifying informationA legitimate citation usually includes:
your name
vehicle info
actual issuing agency
court location
violation date/location
officer information
What you should do
✅ Do not click the link✅ Do not enter payment info✅ Delete/report the message if it came via text/email/social media
If you're concerned about a real ticket:
Check your state DMV website directly
Contact your local circuit clerk/court
Visit your state’s official motor vehicle site manually
For Illinois, you can verify through Illinois Secretary of State or your local county court.
You can also report scam texts to the FTC fraud reporting site. ... See MoreSee Less
During National Correctional Officers Week, the Illinois Sheriffs’ Association proudly stands with the dedicated men and women who serve inside our jails and correctional facilities.
Your work often goes unseen, but it is essential to the safety and stability of our communities. You face challenges with professionalism, strength, and unwavering commitment every single day.
We See You. We Thank You. We stand by you. We support you. And we thank you for your service and sacrifice. #CorrectionalOfficersWeek #StandWithYou #ILSheriffs ... See MoreSee Less
At 7:00 a.m., deputies from the Peoria County Sheriff's Office located Christopher Richerson in the 1800 block of Kickapoo Creek Road.
Richerson has since been transferred and is currently being held at the Tazewell County Jail.
We would like to extend a thank you to our partners at the Peoria County Sheriff's Office and the Peoria Police Department for their assistance in this apprehension! ... See MoreSee Less
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When this happens, it's usually because the owner only shared it with a small group of people, changed who can see it or it's been deleted.National Prescription Drug Take Back Day - Today from 10am-2pm
Don’t miss the opportunity to take part in National Prescription Drug Take Back Day. Deputies will be available in the front lobby of the Tazewell County Justice Center from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. to answer questions and safely collect expired or unused medications. This is a simple and important way to help keep our community safe and prevent misuse—stop by and do your part.
Tazewell County Justice Center - 101 S. Capitol St. Pekin, IL. 61554 ... See MoreSee Less
🎓 Peacekeepers Scholarship Opportunity 🎓
The Tazewell County Sheriff’s Office is now accepting applications for the 2026 Peacekeepers Scholarship Program. This is a great opportunity for eligible students to receive financial support toward their education.
📄 Application can be found here:
www.ilsheriff.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/2026-Peacekeepers-Scholarship-Packet.pdf
🗓 Deadline: Applications must be submitted by Monday, June 1, 2026.
📬 Submission Options:
• Drop off in person at the Sheriff’s Office
• Email to: [email protected]
• Mail to:
Tazewell County Sheriff's Office
Attn: Peacekeepers Scholarship
101 S. Capitol St.
Pekin, IL 61554
Please share to help spread the word!
*Those eligible to apply for the Peacekeeper Scholarship include dependents of Law Enforcement Officers who are either active duty, retired, or those killed in line of duty. Also eligible are dependents of active duty Military, Military Reserve, National Guard, or of those killed in action.* ... See MoreSee Less
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This content isn't available right now
When this happens, it's usually because the owner only shared it with a small group of people, changed who can see it or it's been deleted.**UPDATE: Cole Street has reopened between Brady Park and Riley Lane.
Cole Street in East Peoria is currently closed between Brady Park and Riley Lane
Cole Street in East Peoria is currently closed between Brady Park and Riley Lane due to an investigation. Please find an alternate route. We will provide updates when the roadway reopens. ... See MoreSee Less
Arrest Made Following Child Exploitation Investigation
Tazewell County, IL - The Tazewell County Sheriff’s Office arrested
Joshua J. Donath, 43, of Manito, Illinois, for felony offenses related to the possession of Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM).
Donath was taken into custody on April 8, 2026, and transported to the Tazewell County Jail for processing.
The Tazewell County Sheriff’s Office conducted the investigation as part of the Illinois Attorney General’s Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force.
The Tazewell County Sheriff’s Office remains committed to protecting children and pursuing those who exploit minors.
All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. ... See MoreSee Less
Arrest Made Following Child Exploitation Investigation
Tazewell County, IL - The Tazewell County Sheriff’s Office arrested
Jon Paul Deyo, 45, of East Peoria, Illinois, for multiple felony offenses related to the possession and dissemination of Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM).
Deyo was taken into custody on April 9, 2026, and transported to the Tazewell County Jail for processing.
The investigation was conducted by the Tazewell County Sheriff’s Office with the East Peoria Police Department assisting. Both agencies participate in the Illinois Attorney General’s Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force.
The Tazewell County Sheriff’s Office remains committed to protecting children and pursuing those who exploit minors.
All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. ... See MoreSee Less