McLean County authorities are still seeking one of two suspects charged with sharing inappropriate photos allegedly taken at a Chenoa retirement community.
Michael S. Scurlock, 47, of Lexington and Samantha J. Brown, 28, were indicted in mid-August on one charge each of nonconsensual dissemination of a sexual image, Class 4 felony, court records show. Police have located Brown, but Scurlock is still being sought by authorities. Crime Stoppers of McLean County is seeking the public’s help in finding Scurlock.
Brown worked at Meadows Mennonite Home, a 159-bed skilled, intermediate, and shelter care facility in Chenoa, said McLean County State’s Attorney Jason Chambers. The facility faces a $25,000 fine from the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) related to the incident allegedly involving Brown and Scurlock, which took place in March. Brown was in a previous relationship with Scurlock, said McLean County Sheriff Jon Sandage.
Meadows Mennonite Home was cited “for failure to protect six residents from a staff member who mentally abused and humiliated the residents by taking unauthorized pictures and video, which included partial nudity, and posting them on social media,” according to an IDPH statement.
In an interview in July, a Meadows company official disputed the allegation that the facility failed to notify state officials about the photos. At the time, the company official also said a staff member took the photos but someone else posted them to social media.
The facility has requested a hearing in the IDPH case. A facility can request an administrative hearing to contest cited violations. A status conference call in the case is set for Sept. 21.
The delay between when the incident took place—in March—and the indictment was related to the complex, thorough investigation by the McLean County Sheriff’s Department, Chambers said. Investigators reviewed “tens of thousands of records” that were used to obtain the indictments, he said.
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