July 31, 2026

JOLIET, Il. — July 31, 2026 — The Will County State’s Attorney’s Office announced today that the Illinois Appellate Court, Third District, has affirmed the conviction and 56-year prison sentence of Dieontae Sparks for his role in the 2019 armed robbery and murder of Reginald Harris.

A Will County jury found Sparks guilty of first-degree murder, armed robbery, and unlawful possession of a weapon. The trial court imposed the mandatory minimum sentence of 56 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections.

On appeal, Sparks argued that his trial attorney was ineffective for failing to challenge firearm identification testimony and that his sentence violated the proportionate penalties clause of the Illinois Constitution because of his age at the time of the offense.

In a unanimous order filed July 30, 2026, the Appellate Court rejected both claims and affirmed the judgment of the Will County Circuit Court. The court found that the evidence supporting the conviction was overwhelming, including eyewitness testimony, text messages arranging the meeting that led to the robbery, DNA evidence placing Sparks inside the vehicle, and other corroborating physical evidence. The court further held that Sparks’ constitutional sentencing challenge could not be resolved on direct appeal.

“This decision reaffirms an important principle: those who willingly participate in violent felonies are accountable for the tragic consequences of their actions,” said Will County State’s Attorney James W. Glasgow. “The Appellate Court recognized the strength of the evidence presented at trial and upheld the jury’s verdict. Our office will continue to stand by the work of our prosecutors and defend convictions that seek justice and accountability under Illinois law.”

The appeal was successfully defended by the Will County State’s Attorney’s Office. State’s Attorney James W. Glasgow extends his sincere appreciation to Assistant State’s Attorney Colleen Griffin for successfully defending the conviction on appeal. He also recognizes Griffin as well as Assistant State’s Attorneys Christine Vukmir and Chelsea Selvey for their outstanding work prosecuting the case at trial. State’s Attorney Glasgow further thanks the dedicated members of the Will County State’s Attorney’s Office Information Technology Department for their invaluable trial support and the Office’s Victim Advocate Department for assisting throughout the prosecution and appellate process.

Case: People v. Dieontae Sparks, Illinois Appellate Court, Third District, Appeal No. 3-24-0574 (filed July 30, 2026) (Rule 23 Order).

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