Charges announced in fatal Steger crash

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May 12

JOLIET – Will County State’s Attorney James Glasgow announces that Cecil R. Conner, 22, of Steger, has been charge with four counts of Aggravated Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol in connection with a crash that resulted in the death of a 5-year-old boy in the early-morning hours of May 10.

Aggravated Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol is an enhanced Class 2 felony that carries a penalty of between 3-14 years in prison upon conviction.

The charges allege he was driving and involved in a motor vehicle collision that resulted in the death of the little boy and that:

  • The alcohol concentration in his blood or breath was .08 or higher; 
  • He was driving under the influence of alcohol; 
  • He was driving under the combined influence of alcohol and drugs, rendering him incapable of driving safely; 
  • And he drove while there was cannabis in his blood, breath or urine. 

The Will County State’s Attorney’s Office reminds the public that charges are not evidence of guilt. A defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial at which the government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

Major Crimes Task Force will assist in Stebic investigation at request of Plainfield Chief Doster, State’s Attorney Glasgow

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April 30

JOLIET –Plainfield Police Chief William Doster, Will County State’s Attorney James Glasgow and Joliet Police Chief Fred Hayes announce jointly today that the Will/Grundy Major Crimes Task Force will join the investigation into the disappearance of Lisa Stebic.

The Stebic investigation will continue to be directed by the Plainfield Police Department. However, Chief Doster, who took the helm at the police department roughly five months ago, believes the Major Crimes Task Force will bring significant additional resources and a fresh perspective to the investigation. State’s Attorney Glasgow and Chief Hayes concur.

“I have spent these first months on the job reviewing this case file, and I can say without equivocation that Plainfield’s dedicated detectives have conducted a first-rate investigation into Lisa Stebic’s disappearance,” Doster said. “This department will continue to lead the investigation and explore the new avenues we have discussed in the past few months. We will perform that work with assistance from detectives in the Will/Grundy Major Crimes Task Force.”

Glasgow, who was instrumental in forming the MCTF last year, lauded Doster’s willingness to reach out to other law enforcement agencies to expand the investigation.

“The level of cooperation between Will County law enforcement agencies has always been phenomenal,” the state’s attorney said. “Rather than lose time fighting over turf in a major investigation, our local police chiefs are constantly communicating and always willing to share resources. Participation by the Major Crimes Task Force in the Stebic investigation is yet another example of that cooperation. This investigation remains a top priority, and the addition of the MCTF will strengthen that effort.”

Joliet Police Chief Hayes chairs the Task Force’s Executive Board. At the request of Doster and Glasgow, Chief Hayes received approval from the board to begin assisting with the Stebic investigation.

“In today’s society, criminal investigations are very complex, challenging and demanding,” Hayes said. “Chief Doster should be commended for his decision to use the Task Force. When you have a team of highly skilled, well-trained, seasoned detectives at your disposal, it only makes sense to bring them in. These types of cases are exactly why we created the Major Crimes Task Force.”

The MCTF began operations in May 2009. The Task Force’s chief objective is to direct critical police resources toward the investigation of a major crime immediately after one occurs. Once deployed, the Task Force is designed to develop and follow up on leads in an effort to bring an investigation to a swift and successful conclusion, ideally in the first 48 hours.

However, Task Force detectives also can be made available to assist and review long-standing investigations like the Stebic case.

Thirty-six law enforcement agencies from throughout Will and Grundy counties as well as the FBI and the Illinois State Police contribute staff and resources to the Task Force. From these agencies, more than 50 law enforcement officers lend their skills and expertise to the Task Force.

Will County launches Mental Health Court to help qualifying defendants manage their psychiatric conditions

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April 28

JOLIET – Will County State’s Attorney James Glasgow and Chief Judge Gerald Kinney announce the formation of a new Mental Health Court that is designed to provide judicial monitoring and critical treatment services to qualifying criminal defendants who suffer from mental illnesses.

The Mental Health Court call was convened for the first time at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 27 in Courtroom 308. Circuit Judge Sarah Jones will preside over Mental Health Court. Julie McCabe-Sterr of the Will County State’s Attorney’s Office will serve as the program coordinator. Assistant State’s Attorney Michael Woods will serve as the prosecutor on the call.

The Will County State’s Attorney’s Office and the Chief Judge’s Office partnered with the Will County Sheriff’s Department, the Will County Health Department, the Center for Correctional Concerns and the Will County Public Defender’s Office to establish Will County’s Mental Health Court.

During its first session, the Mental Health Court team agreed to evaluate 10 prospective candidates for possible participation in the program. Candidates must be diagnosed as having a mental disorder or a co-occurring disorder, the latter of which is a mental illness combined with and an addiction.

The mission of the Mental Health Court is to establish a court team that closely monitors qualifying criminal defendants while providing them with comprehensive mental health services. The intensive program, which is voluntary, includes mandatory drug testing, sanctions, incentives and professional support to keep defendants on track.

Participation in Mental Health Court will help defendants manage their psychiatric conditions and enable them to function as law-abiding citizens. The team will assist participants in understanding how managing their condition can keep them from engaging in criminal activity and eliminate their negative contacts with local police. The process also will involve improving their relationships with family members and friends who can provide them with important support.

Each defendant will be carefully screened before being admitted to Mental Health Court. Anyone who has been convicted of or charged with first-degree murder, second-degree murder, a sex offense, armed robbery, arson, kidnapping, stalking or any offense involving the discharge of a firearm will be barred from participation. Defendants charged with other crimes may not be allowed to participate depending upon the unique circumstances of their individual cases.

“Our most important objectives are to protect the community and to seek justice by holding offenders accountable. That’s why we want to make certain in advance that every participant will benefit from the comprehensive services provided through this program,” said State’s Attorney Glasgow. “The entire community, however, benefits when those who suffer from mental illnesses learn to manage their conditions so they can function in society by holding down jobs, pursuing educations and paying taxes. For every dollar we spend on a prevention program where we deal with the root causes of crime, we save $10 to $20 in remedial costs.”

Judge Kinney said: “The Mental Health Court concept is a very important one. It allows us to identify and treat individuals whose primary causes of being within the criminal justice system are their mental health issues. We can identify resources that will assist them and keep them from re-offending. I know Judge Sarah Jones and the Mental Health Court staff will do an excellent job in their efforts and that this program will be a benefit to the community.”

Mental Health Courts were inspired by the success of other problem-solving courts, including Drug Courts and Domestic Violence Courts. The first Mental Health Court began in 1997; today eight have opened in Illinois and more than 200 are operating across the United States.

Felony charge filed against mother in connection with fatal Joliet fire that resulted in death of 4-year-old boy

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April 20

JOLIET – Will County State’s Attorney James Glasgow announced that a Joliet woman has been charged with Endangering the Life or Health of a Child in connection with a fatal fire on April 7 in Joliet that resulted in the death of her 4-year-old son.

The charge was filed against Tiana M. Wallace, 25, of 316 N. Bluff St., on Monday (April 19, 2010). Endangering the Life or Health of a Child is a Class 3 Felony that carries a penalty of two to five years in prison upon conviction.

The charge alleges that Wallace “willfully caused the life or health of O.D., a child under the age of 18 years, to be endangered in that said defendant left O.D., age 4, unattended in the residence located at 316 N. Bluff, Apt. #112, Joliet, Illinois, and said violation is a proximate cause of the death of O.D.”

An arrest warrant with a $175,000 bond was issued for Wallace on Monday, although she has yet to be taken into custody. Anyone with information about Wallace’s whereabouts is asked to call the Joliet Police Department’s Investigations Division at (815) 724-3020 or Crime Stoppers of Will County at (800) 323-6734. 

The Will County State’s Attorney’s Office reminds the public that charges are not evidence of guilt. A defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial at which the government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

Walkers urged to sign up for Champions4Children 5K to benefit Will County Children’s Advocacy Center

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JOLIET – Will County State’s Attorney James Glasgow encourages walkers to sign up for the Champions4Children 5K walk on Saturday, May 15 in Joliet to raise awareness and funding for the Will County Children’s Advocacy Center.

Joliet will be one of 27 towns throughout Illinois where walkers will lace up their sneakers on May 15 to support Children’s Advocacy Centers of Illinois (CACI). Money raised from the Joliet Champions4Children walk will fund the Will County Children’s Advocacy Center, which State’s Attorney Glasgow established in 1995 to investigate allegations of sexual and physical abuse involving children and to provide services for these vulnerable victims.

State’s Attorney Glasgow, who also serves as president of the Children’s Advocacy Center’s Board, will be joined by State Senator Linda Holmes in welcoming the crowd and kicking off the walk.

“Participants in this walk will raise awareness and critical funding that will enable the Children’s Advocacy Center to continue its important work,” Glasgow said. “The Center plays a critical role in bringing sexual predators to justice while providing important counseling services to young victims of abuse.”

The Champions4Children 5K Walk will kick off, rain or shine, at 9 a.m. at Preservation Park next to Farragut Elementary School, 701 Glenwood Avenue, in Joliet’s historic Cathedral Area. Registration beings at 8 a.m. Participants will walk a 5K track through the neighborhood.

The registration fee to walk in the 5K is $15. Walkers who raise $100 or more in pledges will be entered in a drawing to win a pair of Joliet Jackhammers season box tickets, which are valued at $864. 

Walkers can register online at http://www.cacionline.org. When registering online, participants should select “Will County CAC (Joliet)” to ensure that funds are directed to the Will County Children’s Advocacy Center. Walkers who pre-register will also receive a free commemorative t-shirt.

The not-for-profit center’s professionally trained staff interviews child-abuse victims in a non-suggestive, non-threatening environment. Their recorded statements have been used in the successful prosecution of literally hundreds of sexual predators in Will and Grundy counties over the past 15 years.

The Will County Children’s Advocacy Center is a member of both United Way of Will County and United Way of Grundy County. For more information, contact the Will County Children’s Advocacy Center at (815) 774-4565, or visit the Web site at http://www.willcountychildrensadvocacy.org.

What: Champions4Children 5K to benefit the Will County Children’s Advocacy Center. 

When: Saturday, May 15. Registration begins at 8 a.m.

Where: Preservation Park next to Farragut Elementary School, 701 Glenwood Ave., in Joliet’s historic Cathedral Area.

Register: Online at http://www.cacionline.org. Select “Will County CAC (Joliet)” to ensure funds are directed to the Will County Children’s Advocacy Center. Walkers who pre-register will also receive a free t-shirt.

More Info: Call (815) 774-4565 or visit the Web site at http://www.willcountychildrensadvocacy.org.

Statement regarding ruling in the Fox appeal

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April 7

The following is a statement from the Will County State’s Attorney’s Office regarding the ruling in the Fox appeal:

We are pleased the Appellate Court dismissed Kevin Fox’s due process claim in its entirety and substantially reduced the compensatory damages by more than $4 million ($4,034,000). The county is liable only for compensatory damages.

Our reaction, however, is mixed. We respectfully disagree with the remainder of the opinion because we believe no finding of liability should have been upheld. We firmly believe these deputies had probable cause to arrest Mr. Fox based upon the information that was known to them at the time. We are evaluating the Appellate Court’s opinion and reviewing our options with counsel.

Will County correctional officer charged with murder solicitation

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April 1

JOLIET – Will County State’s Attorney James Glasgow and Will County Sheriff Paul Kaupas announced today that a correctional officer who worked at the Will County Adult Detention Facility has been arrested and charged with Solicitation Of Murder For Hire.

The arrest of Correctional Officer Keith A. Smith, 29, of 907 Prescott Drive, Joliet, is the culmination of a weeklong joint investigation conducted by the Will County State’s Attorney’s Office, the FBI and the Will County Sheriff’s Department. 

Smith was taken into custody without incident by FBI agents on Wednesday afternoon. He was arrested after he traveled to Hammond, Ind., to meet with an undercover FBI special agent posing as a prospective hit-man.

Smith is alleged to have enlisted the help of a Will County Adult Detention Facility detainee to hire the hit-man. The intended victim was the boyfriend of Smith’s ex-girlfriend. Smith allegedly offered to pay $1,800 for the murder of the boyfriend.

The Will County State’s Attorney’s Office on Thursday morning filed a formal charge of Solicitation Of Murder for Hire, an enhanced Class X Felony that carries a mandatory prison sentence of between 20 and 40 years upon conviction.

A Will County judge set bond at $2 million Thursday afternoon. Smith must post $200,000 to secure his release while awaiting trial.

“Once these allegations were brought to our office, I immediately enlisted the assistance of Sheriff Kaupas and the FBI to bring this sensitive investigation to a successful conclusion,” State’s Attorney Glasgow said. “Their skillful handling of this case secured operations at the Will County Adult Detention Facility and resulted in the arrest of the defendant.”

Sheriff Kaupas said: “It gives me no pleasure in making this release. It’s very disappointing to me and members of the Sheriff’s Department that a fellow employee crossed over the line. The satisfaction is that this investigation came to a successful conclusion with no one being harmed.”

Smith has been employed at the Will County Adult Detention Facility since October of 2007. Correctional officers are hired through a Merit Commission review process that involves rigid professional testing and extensive psychological testing. The Will County Adult Detention Facility is nationally accredited by the American Correctional Association and the National Commission on Correctional Health Care. 

The Will County State’s Attorney’s Office reminds the public that charges are not evidence of guilt. A defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial at which the government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

State’s Attorney Glasgow thanks Naperville Exchange Club for $7,000 contribution to Will County Children’s Advocacy Center

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March 24

JOLIET – The Naperville Exchange Club recently donated $7,000 to the Will County Children’s Advocacy Center to assist in the fight against child sexual abuse.

Sean Kelley, a member of the Naperville Exchange Club’s Allocation Committee, presented the grant to Will County State’s Attorney James Glasgow.

The Children’s Advocacy Center’s professionally trained staff interviews children who are the victims of sexual abuse. The children’s statements, which are recorded in a non-suggestive, non-threatening environment, have been used in the successful prosecution of hundreds of sexual predators over the past decade.

State’s Attorney Glasgow, who established the Children’s Advocacy Center in 1995, thanked the Naperville Exchange Club for a generous contribution that enables the center to continue its work on behalf of vulnerable children. The center is a 501-c-3 non-profit organization that relies on grants, local funding, foundations and fundraisers to operate.

“I am extremely grateful that the Naperville Exchange Club continues to partner with The Will County Children’s Advocacy Center in its critical mission,” Glasgow said. “This generous contribution validates the important work the center performs on behalf of law enforcement in the battle against child sexual abuse. Not only is the center instrumental in putting dangerous predators behind bars, it provides much-needed counseling and medical services to young victims and their families.”

The Will County Children’s Advocacy Center is a member of both United Way of Will County and United Way of Grundy County. For more information, contact The Will County Children’s Advocacy Center at (815) 774-4565, or visit the Web site at http://www.willcountychildrensadvocacy.org.

Man gets 22-year prison sentence for 2 armed robberies at the same Bolingbrook gas station

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March 15

JOLIET – Will County State’s Attorney James Glasgow announced that a Bolingbrook man has been sentenced to 22 years in prison for holding up a Bolingbrook Speedway station on two separate occasions in December of 2007 and in July of 2008.

A jury last year found Sean E. Gallagher, 33, of 348 E. Briarcliff, Bolingbrook, guilty of two counts of armed robbery. Both are Class X felonies that carry penalties of between six and 30 years in prison upon conviction. Circuit Judge Carla Alessio Policandriotes sentenced Gallagher on Friday.

On Dec. 17, 2007, Gallagher held up the Speedway at 499 W. Boughton Road at knifepoint. He returned to the station on July 23, 2008 and held it up at gunpoint, fleeing on foot with $97. During the July 23, 2008 robbery, he wore a black hood, blue baseball cap and a red bandana.

A police K-9 unit tracked the gunman to a nearby residence, where he was taken into custody. Gallagher told police he robbed the gas station because he is a heroin addict and he needed money.

“Thanks to the Bolingbrook Police Department’s investigation and skillful trial work by my prosecutors, we secured the conviction of a desperate and dangerous criminal,” said State’s Attorney Glasgow. “The 22-year sentence handed down by Judge Policandriotes places this thug behind bars for a long time and makes the streets of Will County safer.”

Assistant State’s Attorneys Matt Guzman, Chris Messina and Adam McAuley prosecuted Gallagher.

Statement by Will County State’s Attorney James Glasgow on the sudden passing of Dr. Bryan Mitchell

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The following statement may be attributed to Will County State’s Attorney James Glasgow:

“On behalf of the entire Will County State’s Attorney’s Office, I would like to extend our heartfelt condolences to the family of Dr. Bryan Mitchell on his sudden passing. 

Dr. Mitchell was a consummate professional whose skillful work as a forensic pathologist enabled us to successfully prosecute many murder cases in Will County over the past decade. He was a compassionate and insightful colleague, and he will be greatly missed. With regard to pending cases in Will County, Illinois statute clearly provides prosecutors with the ability to enter an autopsy protocol at trial in the event of a pathologist’s death.”