East Central Reporter

Shelby County and its contracted healthcare provider, Advanced Correctional Healthcare Inc., have settled a federal lawsuit filed by former jail inmate Nicholas Banning. The settlement was documented in a "Stipulation to Dismiss" filed on April 25, 2025.

The court issued its judgment on April 28, 2025, stating: "IT IS ORDERED AND ADJUDGED that Plaintiff Nicholas Banning’s action against Defendants Shelby County, Don Koonce, Advanced Correctional Healthcare Inc., Cwenton Williams, Tonya Atteberry, Devon Durbin, Megan Warner, Melissa Haynes, Brandon Gatton, Chris Zakowski, Daine Burkhead, and Brian McReynolds is dismissed with prejudice by Stipulation of the parties; Defendant Sean McQueen was dismissed 3/22/2022; and Defendants Kelly Adams and Jacqueline Clayton were dismissed 3/13/2025. Dated: 4/28/2025."

The settlement details remain undisclosed as the county has not yet provided a copy of the agreement. There is speculation that a significant financial payout might be involved.

During his tenure as sheriff, Don Koonce was reportedly involved in various instances of malfeasance without facing accountability. These events occurred under former State’s Attorney Gina Vonderheide's term. Her actions included a self-imposed pay raise beyond legal limits that resulted in an interest-free loan with no legal consequences.

Gina Vonderheide has since returned to the Shelby County courthouse as an Assistant State’s Attorney.