Man sentenced for stealing vehicle, striking deputy

ROCK ISLAND Co., Ill. (KWQC) - A man has been sentenced for striking a Rock Island County Sheriff’s deputy with a stolen vehicle in 2024.

James Barlett, 37, was sentenced Tuesday after pleading guilty to possession of a stolen vehicle, aggravated fleeing and aggravated battery to a peace officer, court documents show.

Barlett will serve four years in prison for the solen vehicle and fleeing charges, according to court documents. He will also serve three years of probation on the battery charge.

In June 2025, the passenger, 45-year-old Jessica Gordon, was sentenced to 12 months of conditional discharge after pleading guilty to criminal trespass to a motor vehicle.

Background

Just before 1 p.m. Dec. 18, 2024, the Rock Island County Sheriff’s Office responded to Casey’s General Store in Carbon Cliff after a report of a stolen vehicle in the parking lot, officials said.

A deputy approached the vehicle and tried to stop the driver, Barlett, and passenger, Gordon, according to officials.

Officials said Barlett put the vehicle in reverse, striking the deputy, the squad car and another parked vehicle before fleeing south on Route 84 toward Colona.

The vehicle later turned west onto Route 6 toward Coal Valley. Stop sticks flattened two tires, but Barlett kept going, officials said.

The vehicle then crashed into another car at 27th Street in Moline and Airport Road, according to officials.

Barlett ran but was caught by deputies and Moline police, officials said.