A Mattoon man facing attempted murder charges in Moultrie County will avoid trial after pleading guilty on Monday to two lesser felony counts.
Thomas Welch, 31, was in court Monday morning for what was expected to be a final pretrial hearing ahead of a Wednesday jury trial. Instead, Welch entered guilty pleas to domestic battery and unlawful restraint, both of which are Class 4 felonies. In exchange, prosecutors dismissed Class X charges of attempted murder and aggravated kidnapping, as well as a Class 2 count of aggravated domestic battery.
The charges stem from an incident on the night of December 30th, 2025. According to the Moultrie County Sheriff’s Office, Welch and his girlfriend got into an argument while driving through Arthur. When she tried to get out of his truck, Welch prevented her from doing so and she suffered a severe head wound during the struggle.
Welch kept driving into Moultrie County, ignoring her screams to let her out. She eventually jumped from the moving vehicle while passing through Kirksville and found help from a nearby homeowner, who called 911. Her injuries included a deep head wound, a bruised cheek, and neck bruising consistent with strangulation.
Welch was arrested on January 4th, 2026. Also arrested was his friend Cody Kimery, 33, who was allegedly in the truck and reportedly blocked the victim’s attempts to escape. Kimery is due back in court on April 7th.
Following Monday’s plea, the judge allowed Welch to be released with an ankle monitor. He was taken into Moultrie County Sheriff’s custody to have the monitor fitted. Sentencing is scheduled for April 22nd.
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