Man Who Dug Hole, Shot Joliet Dog Several Times Awaits Sentence

JOLIET, IL —A 29-year-old man from Jefferson City, Missouri has pleaded guilty to charges of aggravated cruelty to animals and possession of a gun without a Firearm Owner's Identification card in connection with the shooting death of a Joliet dog in June 2018. At the time of the crime, Frank Hickmon dug a hole in an acquaintance's backyard and then proceeded to shoot the man's dog seven or eight times, court records reflect.

Will County Judge Carmen Goodman has set Frank Hickmon's sentencing for Dec. 12 in Courtroom 407. Four other pending charges against Hickmon were dismissed by the Will County State's Attorney as part of the recent plea agreement.

According to court documents, on June 23, 2018, "Frank was abusing my dog. He dug a hole and shot him in my backyard and covered him with dirt. I was not home but my son David Jr. was. David Jr. witnessed this event," stated Joliet resident David R. Johnson, who lives in the 100 block of Barr Elm Avenue. The Will County Sheriff's Department responded to the call and took Hickmon into custody on June 24.

Hickmon remained in county lockup for about a week. Then he posted 10 percent of his $10,000 bail to regain his freedom while his criminal case was pending in Will County.

Before the shooting, Hickmon "put the dog in a Full Nelson, and the dog wiggled loose and bit him in the arm. My girlfriend witnessed this event," David Johnson Sr. wrote the judge. "She called me and told me I needed to get home because Frank said he was going to shoot the dog. I called Frank and he said he was not going to do anything to the dog."

Johnson informed the judge that "One of my neighbors must have called the police when they heard the seven or eight gunshots ... My son that witnessed the event is devastated and shook up."

According to court papers, Hickmon stayed with the Johnsons for five days in 2018, from June 18-23.

"During this time, he threw cold water on my dog when he barked in his cage. My neighbors told me they saw Frank punching and kicking my dog in the head," court documents state.

Judge Goodman determined that Hickmon can reside in Missouri while awaiting his Dec. 12 sentencing.

However, Hickmon must "keep Will County Probation informed as to where he is living in Missouri and shall make all appointments to facilitate the completion of the pre-sentencing investigation," court documents show.