Man sentenced to 44 years for 1998 murder, 30 years for 2008 drug deal

Online Staff Report

Richard L. Brown, 40, pled guilty Aug. 8 to the offense of first-degree murder and was sentenced by Judge Ronald J. White to 44 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections.

Brown also pled guilty to the offense of delivery of a controlled substance less than 1 gram of heroin within a drug-free zone and was sentenced to 30 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections.

On the morning of May 27, 1998, Rockford police officers and Winnebago County Sheriff’s deputies were sent to the area of the 4100 Hudson in the vicinity of William Dennis School in reference to a person down.

At the scene, a female was located on her back and wasfound to be deceased. The female was later identified as Deborah Lynn Logdson. It was learned through the investigation that Brown had been arguing with Logsdon in the area of Dennis School and that Brown was armed with a firearm.

Logsdon died as a result of a gunshot wound to the head.

First-degree murder charges were filed against the defendant in 2011 when additional information was reviewed by the State’s Attorney’s Office.

Oct. 6, 2008, a Rockford police officer made an undercover purchase of cocaine on Indiana Avenue from Brown. This transaction was found to have occurred within 1,000 feet of a church.

First-degree murder is a class M felony with a sentencing range of 20 to 60 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections. Delivery of a controlled substance is a class 1 felony with a sentencing range of four to 15 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections. However, because of the defendant’s previous criminal record, he is extended-term eligible on the drug case and the sentencing range increases to four to 30 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections. Both sentences will be served concurrently.

Posted Aug. 24, 2012

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