Ex-deputy sentenced to 20 years in prison for killing Sonya Massey

Ex-deputy sentenced to 20 years in prison for killing Sonya Massey

January 29, 2026/
Spread the love

By Jim Talamonti | The Center Square
The Center Square

(The Center Square) – A former Sangamon County sheriff’s deputy has been sentenced to 20 years in prison for fatally shooting Sonya Massey at her Springfield home in July 2024.

A jury convicted Sean Grayson of second-degree murder Oct. 29. On Thursday morning in Springfield, Judge Ryan Cadigan handed down the maximum allowed sentence for Grayson’s crime.

In a statement from the Massey Commission for Sangamon County, Sonya’s cousin, Sontae Massey, said Sonya’s death would follow her for the rest of her life.

“It is a permanent reminder of what happens when power is exercised without humanity, when a life is treated as disposable,” Sontae Massey stated.

The trial was in Peoria after Grayson’s legal team argued local news coverage of Massey’s death would make it impossible to find an impartial jury.

In the early morning hours of July 6, 2024, Massey called police about a suspected prowler. Two Sangamon County Sheriff deputies arrived on the scene. Body camera footage released by Illinois State Police showed Grayson confronting Massey and threatening to shoot her in the face.

Massey was then shot in the head.

Greg Bishop contributed to this story.

Leave a Comment





Latest News Stories

Monee Car Fire

Fire Department Responds to Monee Car Fire

Monee firefighters responded to a car fire on Manhattan-Monee Road April 10th. No injuries were reported.
NL Fire

New Lenox Firefighters Extinguish Garage Fire, Rescue Pets on Somerset Court

Article Summary: The New Lenox Fire Protection District quickly contained a Friday morning garage fire on Somerset Court, preventing the blaze from spreading to the home's main living area and...
WCO-Capital Improvements & IT Apr 07 214

Will County Explores Multi-Million Dollar Downtown Joliet Consolidation and City Partnership

Will County Capital Improvements & IT Committee Meeting | April 7, 2026 Article Summary: The Will County Capital Improvements and IT Committee reviewed four sweeping architectural options to consolidate county...
will county board meeting.6

Will County Partners with LNS Development for Laraway Road Drainage Improvements in New Lenox

Will County Public Works & Transportation Committee Meeting | April 7, 2026 Article Summary: The county approved a cost-sharing agreement with a private developer to build shared stormwater management facilities...
Will County Board Graphic.03

Will County Hires LEAP HR Consulting for $12,000 Strategic Plan

Will County Board Meeting | March 19, 2026 Article Summary: Seeking to unify its vision and improve onboarding for new members, the Will County Board will launch a four-month strategic...
Will County Finance Logo

Will County Finalizes 2025 Tax Levy at $159.5 Million, Limiting Rate Drops

Briefs: Will County Board Finance Committee Meeting | April 7, 2026 Article Summary: The Will County Finance Committee reviewed the final 2025 tax levy extension numbers, which came in slightly...
Will County Board Graphic.02

Will County to Take Jurisdiction of Countyline Road Following $1.8 Million Agreement with Kankakee County

Will County Public Works & Transportation Committee Meeting | April 7, 2026 Article Summary: Will County will absorb a 4.27-mile stretch of Countyline Road into its highway system, aided by...
will county board meeting.6

Will County Expands Narcan Distribution Amid Shifts in Opioid Overdose Demographics

Will County Public Health & Safety Committee Meeting | April 2, 2026 Article Summary: The Will County Health Department is ramping up its opioid overdose prevention efforts by distributing more...
Police Crime

Additional Skeletal Remains Discovered at Mokena Property

Article Summary: Law enforcement officials have secured a property in Mokena for an extended search after a secondary sweep of the area revealed additional skeletal remains near the site where...
Travis

Beecher Man Charged with 10 Felony Counts for Possession of Child Sex Abuse Material

Article Summary: A 45-year-old Beecher resident turned himself in to Will County Sheriff's deputies to face 10 felony counts related to the possession of child sexual abuse material following a...
Screenshot 2026-04-10 at 1.52.27 PM

Manhattan School District 114 Celebrates Historic State Placements for Wrestling, Music, and Bowling

Manhattan School District 114 Board of Education Meeting | April 8, 2026 Article Summary: The Manhattan School District 114 Board of Education recognized an unprecedented series of student achievements across...
solar panels photovoltaics in solar farm

Will County Legislative Committee Unanimously Backs Resolution Demanding Return of Local Solar Siting Control

Will County Board Legislative Committee Meeting | April 7, 2026 Article Summary: The Will County Board Legislative Committee unanimously passed an amended resolution on Tuesday demanding the Illinois General Assembly...
Perry House

Joseph Perry House Granted Historic Landmark Status

The committee unanimously approved a resolution (26-4451) designating the Joseph Perry House as a Will County Historic Landmark. Located at 365 W. Exchange Street in Crete Township (PIN # 23-15-09-318-016-0000),...
Will County Board Land Use Committee Graphic.3

Green Garden Township’s Wildflower Farm Granted Third Extension for Rural Events Permit

Will County Board Land Use & Development Committee Meeting | April 2, 2026 Article Summary: The Will County Land Use and Development Committee unanimously approved a third 180-day extension for...
Will County Board Graphic.04

Will County Lowers Cedar Road Speed Limit Amid Debate Over Curve Safety and Fatalities

Will County Public Works & Transportation Committee Meeting | April 7, 2026 Article Summary: The Will County Public Works and Transportation Committee approved lowering a segment of Cedar Road to...