County man sentenced to 40 years for Virden murder

Macoupin County State's Attorney Jordan J. Garrison announced on Thursday that Dalton M.K. Obermark was sentenced by the Honorable Joshua A. Meyer to 40 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections for the murder of John "J.B." Rennie of Virden. Obermark previously pleaded guilty to one count of first degree murder on July 12, 2022. In exchange for the plea in July, the state agreed to cap their recommended sentence at 40 years.

At the sentencing hearing, evidence was presented that the defendant previously resided in Florida where he had been convicted of armed robbery with a knife and grand theft auto in 2017. While incarcerated in Florida, the defendant conspired to escape from jail in Polk County, Florida, and was convicted of conspiracy to commit escape from a penal institution. The defendant was released from the Florida prison system in early 2021, and afterwards he relocated to Illinois. Within 30 days of relocating to Illinois the defendant murdered Rennie.

It was further shown at the sentencing hearing the defendant had crafted multiple weapons– knives commonly referred to as shanks–while being held pending trial.

At the sentencing hearing Judge Meyer granted the state's request for 40 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections. Judge Meyer noted that the defendant tried to claim this was just a mistake.

"To be clear," Meyer stated. "Many individuals who have committed mistakes have come through this courtroom. You are not one of them. Murder is not a mistake. Stabbing someone eight times is not a mistake...You (Obermark) are responsible for the sadness here today."

"While there is nothing we can do to bring J.B. back," said Garrison, "Hopefully today is a step forward for the Rennie family in closing this horrible chapter in their lives. I want to thank the Illinois State Police, the Virden Police Department and the Macoupin County Sheriff's Department for their efforts in this matter."

The defendant will not be eligible for parole until February of 2061.