CENTRALIA, IL — A 48-year-old Centralia man pleaded guilty Thursday in Marion County Court to the severe beating over the summer of a 15-year-old boy on a Centralia street.

Christopher James pleaded guilty to one of two Class 3 felony charges of aggravated battery causing great bodily harm in exchange for the second charge being dismissed.

The charge is punishable by probation or between 3 and 10 years in prison.

James had earlier been identified as the step-father of three of four juveniles who have also pleaded guilty in connection with the case.

Prosecutors presented evidence in the case that James had initially intervened in the beating that took place after the victim was chased and knocked off his bike near Lincoln and Haussler Streets but also beat the 15-year-old boy with his bike and stomped the boy as he was lying in the street.

Police testimony confirmed the victim of the beating was an alleged member of the Rude Boys gang and that police believe he was likely responsible for shots that had been fired into a home where James lived at the time with the three step-sons charged in the case.

Authorities say the victim suffered a level two permanent brain injury and is unable to speak or have any memory of the incident, something that was confirmed by medical staff.

The four juveniles involved in the beating have all been sentenced to 5-years probation.

James is scheduled to be sentenced in the case January 14.

He’s currently being held in Big Muddy Correctional Center where he’s serving a 3-year prison sentence on a Clinton County conviction for felony domestic battery.

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