Quincy man given pretrial release after arrest for possession with intent to deliver controlled substance

QUINCY — A Quincy man was given pretrial release on Friday afternoon after he was arrested Thursday and charged with possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, a Class 2 felony punishable for between three and seven years in the Illinois Department of Corrections.

Jason A. Priest, 54, made his first appearance in Adams County Circuit Court on Friday before Judge Josh Jones. Jones assigned Public Defender John Citro to handle Priest’s case. His next appearance in court was scheduled for May 7.

Jones told Priest about the terms and conditions of his release, explaining that he must show up to his court appearances on time and that he was being placed on pretrial services.

“As I have told many other defendants here today, and I’m going to tell you, this is not a punishment,” Jones said. “Pretrial services is designed to help you remember your court dates … “

Priest cut off Jones and said, “Is that your opinion, or is that a fact?”

“That is a fact,” Jones replied.

“So nobody gets in trouble with pretrial services?” Priest asked.

“I didn’t say that. I said they are not designed as a punishment,” Jones replied.

“So it’s your opinion then?” Priest shot back.

“Mr. Priest, I’m going to tell you this one time,” Jones sternly said. “I want you to listen to me. You’re going home today. The only way you’re not going home today is if you say the wrong thing in court, and you get find yourself in contempt.”

Jones then said he was ordering a drug and alcohol evaluation and a mental health evaluation, and he was ordering Priest not to consume alcohol or any controlled substance while on pretrial release. 

Public Defender Mark Taylor, representing Priest during the appearance, objected to the pretrial services order. He said Priest was not on the influence of any drug or alcohol at the time of his arrest, and the drug in question — oxycodone — was Priest’s prescription medication and was found in his purse with his name on the bottle.

“Based on the evidence that I have seen in this case and the defendant’s prior criminal history, which does include prior DWI (driving while intoxicated), peace disturbance tickets and some other criminal offenses, that leads the court to believe that some type of supervision is required,” Jones said.

Jones did allow Priest to continue using his medication prescribed by a doctor.

Priest earned plenty of attention in 2022 when he faced a laundry list of assorted charges. Many of them were misdemeanors, but he also was charged with criminal damage to government property and threatening a public official, both Class 3 felonies. However, he has since only been charged with disorderly conduct in December 2024 — which was later dismissed — and disregarding a traffic device in September 2024, for which he was fined.