Missouri Sentence Imposed on Farmer

A 29 year old Lanark Illinois Farmer who was sentenced to 123 years imprisonment by Judge George C. Dixon was slapped with another 60 year sentence Monday.

Thomas Melvin Hoggatt drew the additional penitentiary term when he pleaded guilty to kidnapping a five year old girl.

Judge Dixon imposed the original sentence when Haggett was convicted of raping a nine year old Lanark girl. He admitted taking the girl for a ride into a school yard, attacking her twice and then leaving her alongside a country road.

Since the crime occurred on Aug. 17 Judge Dixon decreed Hoggatt spend each Aug 17 in solitary confinement. Under state law Hoggat must serve 1/3 of his sentence (41 years) before he is eligible for parole. The father of three children, he was convicted Monday of taking a Hannibal MO girl from her home shortly after he raped the Lanark girl. He had been hired by the parents as a baby sitter. For every year he serves under the IL conviction, he serves a year under the MO conviction (concurrent sentences). Hoggatt was taken to Missouri for the trial from Stateville under heavy guard. He's made one bid for freedom sence entering the penitentiary, offering to have himself sterilized in exchange for release.. request denied..

Source: Dixon Evening Telegraph 23 May 1950