Published: July 09, 2008 12:03 pm            

Charges pending for shootout suspects

It’s still uncertain what charges two Ohio teens will face in Fayette County after allegedly displaying a weapon to an Altamont police officer during a traffic stop on Interstate 70 near the Effingham-Fayette county line.

Matt Chancey, assistant state’s attorney in Fayette County, said this morning his office was waiting for the results of an Illinois State Police investigation into the incident, in which shots were reportedly fired by an Altamont officer after the occupants of a stolen Chevrolet Camaro allegedly displayed a weapon.

“It’s too early to say for certain what we will do,” Chancey said. “We want to see what the officer involved has to say.

“Until the investigation is complete, we would be engaging in speculation and we don’t like to do that.”

Effingham County State’s Attorney Ed Deters said through a spokeswoman this morning he would only file traffic charges against Simeon Rossenov Moutafov and Michael J. Gilb, both 19.

“He’s going to let Fayette County and Madison County handle the rest of it,” the woman said.

Altamont Police Chief Kendal Balding has consistently declined to identify the officer involved in the incident, citing safety concerns.

Moutafov of New Richmond, Ohio, and Gilb of Amelia, Ohio, face charges in Madison County that could keep them in prison for decades. The two Cincinnati-area young men have been charged with attempted murder, aggravated battery with a firearm, aggravated discharge of a firearm, three counts of aggravated unlawful use of a weapon and traffic charges. Driver Moutafov also was charged with aggravated fleeing to elude police.

A 13-year-old girl traveling with the older teens was also charged and will face a court appearance today.

Master Sgt. Jim Morisey of Illinois State Police District 11 in Collinsville said the occupants of the vehicle are charged with shooting at a Madison County Sheriff’s Department squad car early Monday morning, causing minor injuries to a deputy. The deputy was not shot, but was injured by flying glass when a car window was shot. The three were arrested later that morning in separate arrests near a Collinsville trailer park.

Morrisey said the trio were apparently passing through the St. Louis metropolitan area en route to another destination, which he would not disclose.

Morrisey said both Moutafov and Gilb are being held without bond at Madison County Jail.

Bill Grimes can be reached at 217-347-7151 ext. 131 or bill.grimes@effinghamdailynews.com.