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Last updated on Friday, July 19, 2013
(TAZEWELL CO.) - A Pekin man who pleaded guilty to beating a World War II veteran was sentenced to 35 years in prison by a judge who called his actions sadistic.
Tazewell County Circuit Judge Kevin Galley called 19-year-old Charles Cheney an "impulsive, volatile, abusive person" when he sentenced him Wednesday for burglary and aggravated battery. The February 2012 attack left 85-year-old Ben Pirercy alone for nearly a day in his Creve Coeur home.
Authorities say Cheney and another man stole jewelry and military medals from Piercy's home. U.S. Rep. Aaron Schock's office had the medals replaced.
Piercy's daughter found him suffering from a broken nose and bloodied face.
In a written statement to the court, Denice Pennington said her father died mentally as a result of the attack. Piercy died in April.
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