Joey Diekemper pleaded guilty to conspiring to commit fraud in his federal bankruptcy case

Carlyle farmer pleaded guilty to conspiring to commit fraud in his federal bankruptcy case, and he faces up to 10 years in prison when he is sentenced.But an attorney for Joey Diekemper stressed again that he had no involvement in the slayings of a rural Keyesport couple who resided on rental property where Diekemper stashed a tractor in an attempt to hide assets."He had nothing to do with that incident," attorney Gilbert Sison told reporters outside court. "You'll probably hear more about that at the sentencing." Diekemper was charged in June in federal court with committing fraud by concealing money and assets in his multimillion-dollar bankruptcy case. He pleaded guilty to one count each of conspiracy to commit bankruptcy fraud, conspiracy to commit mail fraud, making a false financial statement to the U.S. Department of Agriculture and perjury.As part of a plea bargain, other, related charges are being dismissed.According to the plea agreement, prosecutors have calculated that Diekemper's sentencing range is 97 to 121 months in prison. At a sentencing hearing set for March 9, Diekemper's attorneys will contest the prosecution's sentencing calculation. Prosecutors also calculated that Diekemper's fine range is $15,000 to $150,000.In court, U.S. Magistrate Judge Clifford Proud asked Diekemper whether he is admitting to the allegations in the four counts.Diekemper, wearing an orange jumpsuit, handcuffs and ankle shackles, let out a sigh and replied: "Yes."The assets include a tractor that was hidden behind a false wall of a barn in rural Keyesport. The barn was on rental property where George and Linda Weedon lived.In April 2007, George Weedon spoke with an FBI agent about the tractor, but said he was afraid Diekemper would burn his house down if he found out about the conversation. Two days later, the Weedons' bodies were found after rescue workers responded to a fire that destroyed their home. Both had been shot.No one has been charged with the slayings.Outside court, Sison told reporters that if Diekemper were a suspect, "he would have been indicted by now."
"All I know is, there are no charges being contemplated against him or his wife for that crime," Sison said.Diekemper's wife, Margaret Diekemper, also was charged with bankruptcy fraud and entered a guilty plea last week. As part of a plea bargain, she faces a prison sentence of 46 to 57 months. Also as part of the plea, she agreed to cooperate with authorities and give testimony "concerning all criminal activity about which she knows."Sison said Joey Diekemper pleaded guilty to "accept responsibility for his conduct." Sison said Margaret Diekemper's plea deal was not a factor in his decision.When asked about the state of the Diekempers' relationship, Sison said: "They're like any married couple. Unfortunately, they're separated (physically) right now because he's in jail."Joey Diekemper has been in jail awaiting trial since July, when a judge revoked his bond for lying about the whereabouts of two guns. Joey Diekemper wasn't supposed to have weapons while free on bond, but federal investigators learned that he had tried to bring two guns to the home of an acquaintance.Margaret Diekemper is free on bond and is scheduled to be sentenced the same day as her husband.The charges against the Diekempers also accused them of failing to report to bankruptcy officials more than $115,000 that Joey Diekemper lost at casinos, and paying $6,000 to an "unindicted co-conspirator" to get the person to lie under oath during court proceedings.Capt. Mark Bramlett of the Illinois State Police, the agency conducting the investigation into the Weedon killings, said Wednesday, "I don't think we're in a position where we can rule anybody out."