In the Courts: Drug Dealer Recaptured, Domestic Attack, 1 KG of Cocaine, Brutal Beating and More
It was a busy week in Kane County courts, with five convictions and one sentencing for an array of crimes ranging from cocaine sale to armed robbery.
Here is a roundup of news releases from the Kane County State’s Attorney’s website:
AURORA MAN WHO FLED WHILE ON BOND CONVICTED FOR COCAINE SALE
RE-CAPTURED IN TEXAS IN 2014; CO-DEFENDANTS STILL SOUGHT
Jan. 25, 2017
An Aurora drug dealer who fled the state while free on bond has been convicted for dealing cocaine in 2002 after being re-captured.
Pedro Giles (CREDIT: Kane County State’s Attorney’s Office Facebook page)
Pedro Giles, 37, last of the 300 block of Old Indian Trail, Aurora, was convicted Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2017, by a Kane County jury of unlawful delivery of a controlled substance, a Class X felony, and unlawful possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver, a Class X felony. The jurors deliberated for about two hours before reaching their verdict.
Kane County Assistant State’s Attorney Andrew Whitfield and Bridget Sabbia presented evidence during the two-day trial that undercover officers with the North Central Narcotics Task Force in December 2002 had made arrangements to purchase three ounces of cocaine from co-defendant Javier Perez, 50, who last address was in Aurora, at a specific time and location.
When the officers met Perez in a parking lot in the 200 block of South Lake Street, Aurora, Perez said he didn’t have enough cocaine but could get more. Perez called co-defendant Ricardo Lopez Magallon, 44, who agreed to help the officers purchase additional cocaine. Magallon and the undercover officers drove to the 1-99 block of North Root Street and waited for Giles. When Giles arrived, the officers purchased approximately 86 grams of cocaine from him for $2,400. After the sale, Giles and Magallon were arrested.
The undercover officers returned to Perez, purchased the 1.65 grams of cocaine from him for $75 and arrested him.
Police then conducted a lawful search of Giles’ residence, where they found between 400 and 900 grams of cocaine and $1,400 in cash. Giles admitted to police that the cocaine and cash were his.
After they were charged, posted bond, and were released, Giles, Perez and Magallon fled. Arrest warrants were issued. Giles was arrested in October 2014 by local authorities in Montgomery County, TX. He was extradited back to Kane County in November 2014.
Associate Judge Linda Abrahamson set Giles’ next court appearance for 1:30 p.m. April 12, 2017, in Courtroom 305 at the Kane County Judicial Center for motions and sentencing. Giles faces a sentence of between 12 and 80 years’ imprisonment in the Illinois Department of Corrections.
Giles remains in the Kane County jail, where he has been held since his extradition in lieu of $500,000 bail. Bond was revoked upon conviction.
Warrants remain for Perez and Magallon on drug charges. Anyone with information on their whereabouts can leave an anonymous tip with the North Central Narcotics Task Force at 847-608-3242 or on the task force’s Website at www.ncntf.org/TIPS.php.
The charges against Perez and Magallon are not proof of guilt. Perez and Magallon are presumed innocent and are entitled to a fair trial in which it is the state’s burden to prove their guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
RIVERDALE MAN GETS 16 YEARS FOR DOMESTIC ATTACK
DEFENDANT, WHO HAS LONG CRIMINAL HISTORY, CHOKED VICTIM DURING ARGUMENT
Jan. 23, 2017
A Riverdale man has been sent to prison for attacking and choking his girlfriend when the two began to argue.
Carl C. Walker Sr. (CREDIT: Kane County State’s Attorney’s Office Facebook page)
Carl C. Walker Sr., 52, of the 1-99 block of West 140th Street, Riverdale, IL, was sentenced Friday, Jan. 20, 2017, by Circuit Judge James C. Hallock to 16 years’ imprisonment in the Illinois Department of Corrections.
Walker was convicted Dec. 12, 2016, by a Kane County jury of aggravated domestic battery, a Class 2 felony.
Kane County Assistant State’s Attorneys Bianca Camargo and Vincent Coyle presented evidence at the trial and sentencing hearing that the evening of
Aug. 13, 2015, Walker was at the Aurora apartment of his girlfriend when they began to argue. The victim walked away into another room. Walker followed her, grabbed her around her neck from behind and choked her for 10 to 15 seconds. The next day, the victim’s friend noted the bruises on the victim’s neck and asked what had happened. After the victim explained, the friend called police.
The sentence is enhanced because of Walker’s extensive criminal history. He has been convicted of multiple forcible felonies in Cook County since 1985.
According to Illinois law, Walker must serve at least 85 percent of the sentence. He receives credit for 29 days served in the Kane County jail.
ELGIN MAN GUILTY FOR POSSESSING 1KG OF COCAINE
Jan. 20, 2017
An Elgin drug dealer will go to prison for possessing a large amount of cocaine he planned to sell.
Carlos Garcia-Perez, 51, of the 400 block of Dwight Avenue, Elgin, was convicted Jan. 20 by Associate Judge Linda Abrahamson of unlawful possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver, a Class X felony.
Kane County Assistant State’s Attorney Kelly M. Orland presented evidence during the trial that Garcia-Perez had made arrangements to sell a kilogram of cocaine to a police informant for $27,000 at a specific time and location. On March 23, 2013, while Garcia-Perez was a passenger in a car that was en route to the location to complete the transaction, Carpentersville police stopped the vehicle to serve a search warrant. They found hidden in the car the kilogram of cocaine.
Judge Abrahamson set Garcia-Perez’s next court appearance for 1 p.m. March 9, 2017, for motions. Garcia-Perez’s sentencing hearing is set for 1:30 p.m. March 24, 2017. Garcia-Perez faces a sentence of between 15 and 60 years’ imprisonment in the Illinois Department of Corrections.
Garcia-Perez remains in custody in the Kane County jail, where he has been held since his arrest in lieu of $200,000 bail. Bond was revoked upon conviction.
Kane County Assistant State’s Attorney Kelly M. Orland and Bianca Camargo prosecuted the case.
ELGIN DRUG DEALER GETS PRISON FOR ARMED ROBBERY
UNDERCOVER OFFICER AVOIDS INJURY WHEN TRANSACTION TURNS VIOLENT
Jan. 20, 2017
An Elgin drug dealer will go to prison for an armed robbery that occurred during a transaction with an undercover North Central Narcotics Task Force officer.
John E. Dodd, 23, of the 600 block of Lincoln Avenue, Elgin, agreed to a sentence of 21 years’ imprisonment in the Illinois Department of Corrections in exchange for a guilty plea to armed robbery, a Class X felony.
Circuit Judge Donald M. Tegeler, Jr., accepted the plea.
Kane County Assistant State’s Attorney Kelly M. Orland presented evidence during the plea hearing that Dodd had made an arrangement to sell marijuana to an undercover officer for $300. The two met at about 6 p.m. Jan. 7, 2016, in the area of Lincoln and Preston avenues. Dodd brought no marijuana with him and never planned to do so. Dodd got into the officer’s unmarked vehicle and asked for the money.
A co-defendant then stepped up to the car, pointed a gun in the officer’s face and demanded money. The officer gave the money to Dodd, a struggle ensued over the gun, which discharged inside the car. No one was struck. Dodd and the co-defendant then fled but were quickly captured by supporting officers.
The sentence includes a 15-year mandatory enhancement because the offenders were armed with a gun during the commission of the crime.
According to Illinois law, Dodd is eligible for day-for-day sentencing. He was given credit for 379 days served in the Kane County jail.
The co-defendant’s case is pending. The charges against the co-defendant are not proof of guilt. A defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial in which it is that state’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
“Mr. Dodd is a violent and dangerous drug dealer. He and his co-defendant were willing to shoot someone over a small amount of cash to carry out their illicit drug trade. This officer was in grave danger because Mr. Dodd, and thankfully a team of officers was nearby to come to this officer’s aid and no one was injured,” Kane County State’s Attorney Joe McMahon said.
CHICAGO MAN GETS 10 YEARS FOR HOME INVASION
Jan. 20, 2017
A Chicago man has been sent to prison for forcibly entering a home and taking cash at gunpoint from the resident.
Lawrence Baldwin (CREDIT: Kane County State’s Attorney’s Office Facebook page)
Lawrence Baldwin, 23, of the 100 block of South Parkside Avenue, Chicago, was sentenced late Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2017, by Associate Judge Clint Hull to 10 years’ imprisonment in the Illinois Department of Corrections.
On Oct. 20, 2016, Baldwin pleaded guilty to home invasion, a Class X felony, and robbery, a Class 2 felony.
Kane County Assistant State’s Attorney Alex Bederka presented evidence during the plea and sentencing hearings that at about 12:45 p.m. April 8, 2014, Baldwin knocked on the door of the victim’s residence in the 1800 block of Tall Oaks Drive, Aurora. The victim opened the door and Baldwin, armed with a handgun, pushed his way into the residence, told the victim he had a gun and demanded money.
Baldwin then pushed the victim to the floor, told the victim that her boyfriend owed him money and then made the victim look away from the bedroom door while another person entered the residence, took $600 from the victim’s bedroom and left. The investigation revealed that Baldwin had learned from a third party — a man who was a friend of the victim’s boyfriend — that the victim kept a jar containing cash hidden in her bedroom.
According to Illinois law, Baldwin is eligible for day-for-day sentencing. He was given credit for 595 days served in the Kane County jail, where he has been held since his arrest in lieu of $200,000 bail. Bond was revoked upon conviction.
AURORA MAN GUILTY OF ATTEMPTED MURDER IN BRUTAL BEATING
Jan. 19, 2017
An Aurora man has been convicted for brutally stomping on a man’s head long after he had lost consciousness after a disagreement in an alley in fall 2015.
Darnell Wynn (CREDIT: Kane County State’s Attorney’s Office Facebook page)
Darnell Wynn, 56, of the 100 block of West Galena Boulevard, Aurora, was convicted late Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2017, by Circuit Judge Donald M. Tegeler, Jr., of attempted murder, a Class X felony, and aggravated battery, a Class 1 felony.
Wynn waived his right to a jury trial.
Kane County Assistant State’s Attorneys Greg Sams and Lori Anderson presented evidence during the trial that at about 9 p.m. Sept. 22, 2015, Wynn and his girlfriend were near the intersection of Middle Avenue and Cross Street when the victim rode by on his bicycle. Wynn and the victim exchanged words and then squared off for a fist fight.
Wynn struck the victim with a few punches and the victim fell to the ground. After the victim lost consciousness, Wynn continued to punch him in the face and head 20 more times. At that point a motorist who had seen the altercation stopped his car and yelled to Wynn, “Stop! You’ve won! You’ll kill him!” The witness then left to call 911. Wynn stood up, walked around for a few seconds then stomped on the victim’s head 22 times, once with both feet, before he left.
The victim suffered multiple broken facial bones and was hospitalized for several months. He has permanent scarring, some memory loss and struggles with everyday activities and motor-skill impairment.
Tegeler set Wynn’s next court appearance for 1:30 p.m. March 17, 2017, for motions and sentencing. Wynn faces a sentence of between six and 30 years’ imprisonment in the Illinois Department of Corrections.
Wynn remains in custody at the Kane County jail, where he has been held since his arrest in lieu of $750,000 bail. Bond was revoked upon conviction.
SOURCE: Kane County State’s Attorney’s Office news releases. To follow news releases directly from the SAO, visit the State’s Attorney’s website and Facebook page.
