On May 5 the Peoria attorney facing felony charges for voting twice and for stalking a court official had his case referred to Peoria County’s Veterans Court. An initial appearance there was set for May 20.

Thorn M. Smith, 68, was indicted last year for trying to vote twice during the April 1, 2025, Consolidated General Election. A grand jury heard testimony that he voted with a mail-in ballot and again on Election Day. Records showed he’d received a mail-in ballot, but he signed a form stating he had not previously voted, so he was permitted to cast a second, provisional ballot. That charge is a Class-3 felony punishable by a two- to five-year prison term.

Smith also was indicted for stalking, a Class-4 felony punishable by a 1- to 3-year prison term.

Presiding via video conferencing, McLean County Judge William Yoder approved the agreement between attorney Maureen Williams and Assistant State’s Attorney David Gast.

If Smith is found ineligible for Veterans Court, the agreement provides that Veterans Court Judge Nathan Bach or his clerk will notify the parties who’ll coordinate another date with Yoder for a review.

Veterans Court is part of Peoria County’s “Problem Solving Courts,” also including Mental Health Court, DUI Court and Drug Court, all part of the Peoria County Probation and Court Service Department.

The program generally lasts about a year and includes court appearances and mentor sessions. Successful completion of the program can lead to reduced charges or the case being dismissed, letting veterans avoid prison.

Smith served as an assistant counsel for the U.S. Navy’s Office of the General Counsel from 1987-1991.