Man sentenced 11 years after Vermilion Co. car chase, attempted drug deal in 2021

VERMILION CO., Ill. (WCIA) — A man from Arcola has been sentenced to more than a decade in prison following a car chase in Vermilion County two years ago.

On Sept. 6, 38-year-old Caleb Hackler pleaded guilty to possessing a weapon as a felon, which is a class 2 felony. Judge Mark Goodwin sentenced Hackler to 11 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections.

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In August 2021, deputies from Vermilion County observed a car traveling faster than 100 miles per hour. After a police chase that ended in the car being wrecked in a ditch and the passengers fleeing, the deputies eventually identified Hackler, as well as the driver and co-defendant, Brett Magana.

Later, deputies along with Illinois State Police officers searched the vehicle where they found two 9mm guns, ammunition, firearm magazines, drug paraphernalia and wallets that identified both Hackler and Magana.

Magana admitted in an interview with police that he was the driver of the vehicle and that him and Hackler were on their way to a drug deal.

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After Hackler completes his sentence, he will serve one year of supervised release. Magana was sentenced to 12 years in prison in 2022.

“Repeat offenders who refuse to follow the law will be held accountable by my office,” said
Vermilion County State’s Attorney Jacqueline Lacy. “Our community is safer thanks to the combined efforts of the Vermilion County Sheriff’s Department, the Vermilion County Metropolitan Enforcement Group and the Illinois State Police.

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