DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin announced today that a jury has found Uber driver Ghazwan Alani, 35 (d.o.b. 10/26/1987), formerly of Palatine, guilty of sexually abusing a twenty-three-year-old female passenger upon arrival at her destination. The jury returned their verdict at approximately 9 p.m. last night following a three-day-long trial and after approximately three hours of deliberations. On September 2, 2020, Alani appeared at a bond hearing where bond was set at $100,000 with 10% to apply. He posted the necessary 10%, or $10,000, later that day and was released from custody. In all, the jury found Alani guilty of one count of Attempt Criminal Sexual Assault (Class 2 Felony) and one count of Criminal Sexual Abuse, a Class 4 Felony. The trial was in front of Judge Mia McPherson.

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Bob Berlin announces re-election campaign for DuPage County State’s Attorney. Berlin will appear on the November 2024 ballot.

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DuPage County State’s Attorney Bob Berlin announced today that a taxicab driver who sexually assaulted a female customer in July 2017, has been sentenced to twenty-five years in the Illinois Department of Corrections.

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DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin announced today that Judge Michael Reidy has sentenced Thaddeus Jones, 26 (d.o.b. 10/29/1996) formerly of Aurora, to one hundred years in the Illinois Department of Corrections for breaking into a woman’s house, sexually assaulting the woman and forcing her to drive him to her bank to withdraw money from her account. On April 14, 2023, a jury found Jones guilty of the crimes following approximately two hours of deliberations and a four-day-long trial in front of Judge Reidy. In all, the jury found Jones guilty of two counts of Home Invasion (Class X Felony), eight counts of Aggravated Criminal Sexual Assault (Class X Felony), two counts of Aggravated Kidnapping (Class X Felony), one count of Robbery (Class 2 Felony) and one count of Possession of a Stolen Motor Vehicle (Class 2 Felony).

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DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin announced today that a Broadview man who participated in hijacking a man’s car from a Lombard McDonalds drive-thru has been sentenced to twenty-two years in the Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC). Dallas Dabney, 28 (d.o.b. 6/16/1994), formerly of the 1900 block of S. 15th Avenue, appeared in court today where he entered a plea of guilty to one count of Aggravated Vehicular Hijacking with a Firearm, a Class X Felony. Judge Brian Telander handed down the sentence. On April 24, 2020, Dabney appeared in Bond Court where bond was set at $250,000 with 10% to apply. On March 18, 2021, Dabney posted the necessary 10%, or $25,000, and was released from custody. On January 27, 2023, Dabney’s bond was exonerated and he was returned to the custody of the DuPage County Jail, where he has since remained. The case against Dabney’s co-defendant, Antonio Protho, 22 (d.o.b. 3/5/2001), of Chicago, is ongoing. Protho’s next court appearance is scheduled for June 15, 2023, for a status hearing in front of Judge Telander.

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DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin, DuPage Regional Office of Education Superintendent Dr. Darlene Ruscitti, Head of the School Safety Task Force John Heiderscheidt and representatives from school districts as well as special education and other cooperatives across DuPage County, announced today the adoption of a new county-wide agreement that will expedite and facilitate the development and implementation of programs designed to provide mutual aid in crises in DuPage County school districts and cooperatives which exceed the capacity of an individual school district or cooperative to respond effectively on its own. The County’s new DuPage County School Mutual Aid Response Team (DuSMART) is the product of State’s Attorney Berlin’s and the County’s School Safety Task Force’s recognition that while DuPage County has fortunately not been subject to such occurrences, either man-made or natural, it is in the best interests of DuPage County students, staff and communities that they join together to plan for such occurrences and be prepared should they arise.

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DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin announced today that a Chicago man who participated in hijacking a pregnant woman’s car from her driveway has been sentenced to forty years in the Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC). Emanuel Embry, 23 (d.o.b. 12/28/1999), formerly of the 100 block of N. Wood Street, Chicago, appeared in court today where Judge Michael Reidy handed down the sentence. On July 7, 2022, Embry entered a plea of guilty to one count of Aggravated Vehicular Hijacking with a firearm, a Class X Felony. On October 17, 2022, Judge Reidy sentenced one of Embry’s co-defendants, Daysean Washington-Davis, 22 (d.o.b. 7/12/2000), formerly of the 2200 block of Marshall Blvd., Chicago, to forty years in the IDOC. The case against Embry’s other co-defendant, Martavious Robinson, 20 (d.o.b. 7/30/2002), formerly of the 6400 block of S. Peoria, Chicago, is scheduled to go to trial on June 27, 2023. Robinson is charged with one count of Aggravated Vehicular Hijacking and one count of Armed Robbery With a Firearm, both Class X Felonies.

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On April 18, 2023, the DuPage County Children's Advocacy Center hosted an open house for the benefit of social services and law enforcement agencies throughout the County. At the open house, DuPage County State's Attorney Bob Berlin recognized Investigator Daniel Herbert of the West Chicago Police Department with a special Recognition of Excellence Award for his work on a recent case.

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DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin announced today that a jury has found Thaddeus Jones, 26 (d.o.b. 10/29/1996) formerly of Aurora, guilty of breaking into a woman’s house, sexually assaulting the woman and forcing her to drive him to her bank to withdraw money from her account. The jury reached their verdict after approximately two hours of deliberations following a four-day-long trial in front of Judge Michael Reidy. In all the jury found Jones guilty of two counts of Home Invasion (Class X Felony), eight counts of Aggravated Criminal Sexual Assault (Class X Felony), two counts of Aggravated Kidnapping (Class X Felony), one count of Robbery (Class 2 Felony) and one count of Possession of a Stolen Motor Vehicle (Class 2 Felony).

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DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin announced today that a taxicab driver has been found guilty of sexually assaulting a female customer in July, 2017. This afternoon, following a six-day-long bench trial, Judge Michael Reidy found Sandeep Arora, 48 (d.o.b. 6/14/1974) of Naperville, guilty of sexually assaulting the woman once he had her alone in his taxicab. In all, Reidy found Arora guilty of two counts of Aggravated Criminal Sexual Assault (Class X Felony), two counts of Criminal Sexual Assault (Class 1 Felony), one count of Aggravated Criminal Sexual Abuse (Class 2 Felony) and one count of Criminal Sexual Abuse (Class 4 Felony.)

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On Wednesday, DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin, the Honorable Ann Celine O’Hallaren Walsh, Presiding Judge of Specialty and Juvenile Courts Division and Diana Hightower, Coordinator of the DuPage Family Violence Coordinating Council unveiled the implementation of a new initiative that will better assist victims of domestic violence in accessing the resources available to them in a safe and discrete manner.

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DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin and Naperville Chief of Police Jason Arres announced today that Judge Michael Reidy granted the State’s motion to deny bond for an Aurora man accused of opening fire on another man outside a Naperville bar last weekend. James Barnett, 27 (d.o.b. 7/8/1995) of the 0-100 block of Root Street, appeared at a bond hearing this morning where Judge Reidy granted the State’s motion to deny bond. Barnett is charged with one count of Armed Habitual Criminal (Class X Felony), one count of Aggravated Battery - Discharge of a Firearm (Class X Felony) and one count of Unlawful Possession of a Weapon by a Felon (Class 2 Felony). On March 16, 2023, Judge Joshua Dieden issued a $1 million full cash arrest warrant for Barnett. Barnett was taken into custody last night without incident.

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DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin announced today that a Chicago man has been sentenced to twenty years in the Illinois Department of Corrections for attempting to carjack a woman’s car from a Downers Grove gas station in September 2021. Demario Butler, 31 (d.o.b. 4/8/1991) appeared at his sentencing hearing this afternoon in front of Judge Ann Celine O’Hallaren Walsh, who handed down the sentence. On January 18, 2023, Butler entered a blind plea of guilty to one count of Attempt Aggravated Vehicular Hijacking With a Firearm, a Class 1 Felony.

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DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin and Hinsdale Chief of Police Brian King announced that bond has been set for a Chicago man accused of breaking into a Hinsdale home. Franshawn Whittenburg, 50 (d.o.b. 1/10/1973) of 8400 block of South Peoria Street, appeared at a bond hearing yesterday morning where Judge Mia McPherson denied the State’s motion to deny bail and set bond at $500,000 with 10% to apply. Whittenburg is charged with one count of Residential Burglary (Class 1 Felony). Because of Whittenburg’s criminal history however, if found guilty, he is subject to Mandatory Class X sentencing which carries a sentence of between six to thirty years in the Illinois Department of Corrections.

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DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert B. Berlin and Addison Director of Police Timothy Hayden announced today that four Cook County men have each been charged with two counts of Attempt Murder (Class X Felony) following a February 16, 2023, shooting in Addison. Brandon Pichardo, 23 (d.o.b. 10/19/1999) of the 8800 block of S. Harlem, Bridgeview, Damian Gonzales, 24 (d.o.b. 10/20/1998) of the 4600 block of S. California, Chicago, Irubiel Martinez, 19 (d.o.b. 4/12/2003) of the 4100 block of S. Campbell, Chicago and Efrain Garcia, 27 (d.o.b. 8/4/1995) of the 2500 block of W. 46th Place, Chicago, all appeared at a bond hearing this morning where Judge Brian Jacobs set bond at $2 million with 10% to apply for all four men. In addition to the Attempt Murder charge, all four defendants are charged with two counts of Aggravated Battery with a Firearm (Class X Felony).

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DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert B. Berlin and Villa Park Chief of Police Michael Rivas announced today that bond has been denied for a Cook County man accused of firing a machine gun multiple times into a residential neighborhood in Villa Park. Curtis Lyons, 37 (d.o.b. 3/27/1985) of the 2000 block of 6th Avenue, Maywood, appeared at a bond hearing this morning where Judge Ann Celine O’Hallaren Walsh granted the State’s motion to deny bond. Lyons is charged with one count of Armed Habitual Criminal, one count of Aggravated Discharge of a Firearm and two counts of Unlawful Use of Weapon by a Felon - Machine Gun. All charges are a Class X Felony.

DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin and Villa Park Chief of Police Michael Rivas announced today that bond has been denied for a Cook County man charged with Armed Habitual Criminal, among other offenses. Michael Ducksworth, 35 (d.o.b. 11/1/1987) of the 15000 block of Myrtle Street, Harvey, appeared at a bond hearing this afternoon in front of Judge Joshua Dieden who granted the State’s motion to deny bond. Ducksworth, who is presently on parole for a 2020 Unlawful Use of a Weapon conviction out of Cook County, has been charged with one count of Armed Habitual Criminal (Class X Felony), one count of Unlawful Possession of a Weapon While on Parole (Class 2 Felony), one count of Possession of a Stolen Motor Vehicle (Class 2 Felony) one count of Illegal Possession of a Controlled Substance (Class 4 Felony) and multiple Misdemeanor traffic offenses including Fleeing or Eluding a Police Officer.

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DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin and Oak Brook Chief of Police Brian Strockis announced that bond was set yesterday morning for a Chilean man charged with breaking into an Oak Brook home late last week. Anibal Miller-Valencia, 21 (d.o.b. 12/7/2001) appeared at a bond hearing yesterday where Judge Joseph Bugos set bond at $1.5 million with 10% to apply. Miller-Valencia has been charged with one count of Home Invasion (Class X Felony) and one count of Residential Burglary (Class 1 Felony). If convicted, he faces a penalty of between six to thirty years in the Illinois Department of Corrections.

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2022 was an extremely busy one for public safety in DuPage County. We sat down with Bob to talk about some of his proudest accomplishments in the last year. Here’s what we came up with:

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Over the weekend, Bob Berlin appeared on WGN TV to discuss the SAFE-T Act’s recent amendment, how the law will give prosecutors a fair opportunity to detain violent defendants before trial and how judges will have more latitude in detaining defendants pre-trial.

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