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DIXON – Two employees of the Dixon Correctional Center's eyeglasses industry are facing felony misconduct charges, accused of theft, according to Lee County Court documents.
Jason G. Hermeyer, 45, of Dixon, is charged with one count of official misconduct for theft, punishable by 2 to 5 years.
In January, Hermeyer "directed inmates to create glasses or sunglasses for his own personal use without compensating the Illinois Department of Corrections," according to documents filed Aug. 16.
On June 29, 2018, Christopher Melvin, 50, of Dixon, committed theft "with the intent to obtain a personal advantage for himself or another" by using industry employees to complete personal projects for his home or property, according to documents filed July 26. He is charged with two counts of official misconduct.
Lee County State's Attorney Matt Klahn said more charges are pending relating to theft.
Lee County Public Defender Bob Thompson said IDOC did an independent investigation and found that there was insufficient evidence for any disciplinary action based on the charges.
"These are good men with supportive families. Both men served our United States Military with honor and have each given over 20 years of professional service to the Illinois Department of Corrections, all with distinction," Thompson said. "I'm confident reasonable minds will prevail in the outcome."
Melvin is the superintendent of Dixon Correctional Industries and Hermeyer is a supervisor.
Both were placed on administrative leave on March 15, and both were suspended July 10 for violating Illinois Department of Corrections standards regarding use and security of computers and computer systems, according to IDOC documents Sauk Valley Media received through a Freedom of Information Act request.
Melvin was suspended for 15 days and Hermeyer for 10 days.
Also that day, office associate Tiara Wolf was suspended for 7 days for violating use and security of computers and computer systems, but she was not charged in Lee County Court.
Hermeyer and Melvin's next court appearances are set for Sept. 12. Melvin is free after posting $1,000 of his $10,000 bond; Hermeyer is free on a $10,000 recognizance bond.
Glasses are made from scratch at the prison's optical lab, where inmates produce around 350,000 pairs a year and can become certified through the American Board of Opticianry.
In fiscal year 2010, the prison industry earned gross revenues of nearly $10.2 million and sold more than 350,000 pairs of glasses to the Illinois Department of Health and Human Services for low income families, according to the IDOC website.