In The Courts: Chicago Man Sentenced For Injuring Elgin Police Officer
The following is a roundup of Kane County State’s Attorney’s Office news releases from Friday, July 28, through Thursday, Aug. 3, 2017.
CHICAGO MAN GETS PRISON FOR INJURING POLICE OFFICER
ALSO PLEADS GUILTY FOR ROLE IN TWO JAIL FIGHTS
July 28, 2017
A Chicago man will go to prison for injuring an Elgin police detective who was attempting to serve him with a warrant, and for his involvement in multiple jail fights while in custody.
Twenty-one-year-old Jorge Chavez on Thursday, July 27, 2017, agreed to a sentence of 16 years’ imprisonment in the Illinois Department of Corrections in exchange for a guilty plea to aggravated battery to a police officer causing great bodily harm, a Class 1 felony, two counts of aggravated battery, each a Class 3 felony, and mob action, a Class 4 felony.
Circuit Judge James C. Hallock accepted the plea.
Kane County prosecutors presented evidence that the evening of July 13, 2014, an Elgin police detective saw Chavez in the parking lot of a retail store in the 1100 block of South Randall Road. Knowing that Chavez was wanted on an arrest warrant, the detective, wearing clothing that identified him as a police officer, attempted to serve Chavez with the warrant while Chavez was in the driver’s seat of a parked car.
The detective knocked on the front driver’s side window to serve the warrant and ordered Chavez to exit the car. Chavez started the car and placed the car in reverse, and as he backed out of the parking place, the detective smashed the driver’s window in an attempt to stop Chavez from fleeing. Chavez then drove toward the detective and as he did so, the detective pulled pepper spray from his belt and sprayed it at Chavez’s face. At the same time, broken glass remaining in the window frame cut into the detective’s arm, causing a serious injury.
In addition, Chavez has at least twice been involved in fights while in custody at the Kane County jail, on June 3, 2015, and on Sept. 22, 2016.
The sentence is 10 years for the aggravated battery to a police officer charge, and three years each for the aggravated battery charges. The terms are to be serve consecutively.
According to Illinois law, Chavez must serve at least 85 percent of the sentence for aggravated battery to a police officer offense, and he is eligible for day-for-day credit for the aggravated battery offenses. He receives credit for 1,110 days served in the Kane County jail.
The case was prosecuted by Kane County Assistant State’s Attorney Brad Melzer.
“Every police officer on every shift puts his or her life on the line while serving and protecting the public. Mr. Chavez seriously and intentionally injured a police officer who has dedicated his life to serving others. He is a threat to the community and belongs in prison,” Kane County State’s Attorney Joe McMahon said.
ELGIN MAN CONVICTED FOR DRUG OFFENSE NEAR CHURCH
Aug. 1, 2017
A Kane County jury has convicted an Elgin man for possessing cocaine he planned to sell near a church.
The jury late Monday, July 31, 2017, convicted 30-year-old William M. Ingram of unlawful possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver within 1,000 feet of a church, a Class X felony; unlawful possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver, a Class 1 felony; unlawful possession of a controlled substance, a Class 4 felony; and driving while license suspended, a Class A misdemeanor.
Kane County prosecutors presented evidence that sometime after 8 p.m. June 20, 2014, Elgin police saw Ingram drive into the parking lot of a business in the 500 block of Tollgate Road, Elgin. Elgin officers recognized Ingram and knew he was driving on a suspended license, wanted on an arrest warrant and on parole.
Officers removed Ingram from his car, placed him under arrest and then found a plastic bag that contained 1.7 grams of cocaine on the ground between the open car door and the car immediately after Ingram was removed from the car. When police searched Ingram they found $4,700 cash on him.
Ingram told police that he went to the location to sell drugs, and that he was selling drugs because he needed money. The location is about 200 feet from a church in the 500 block of Church Road, Elgin.
Circuit Judge Donald M. Tegeler, Jr., set Ingram’s next court appearance for 1:30 p.m. Sept. 29, 2017, in Courtroom 311 at the Kane County Judicial Center for motions and sentencing. Ingram faces a sentence of between 6 and 30 years’ imprisonment in the Illinois Department of Corrections.
Bond was revoked upon conviction, and Ingram remains in the Kane County jail. In addition, Ingram is charged with first-degree murder in the April 30, 2015, death of Devonte Turner of Elgin. That case is pending. Ingram’s next court appearance in the murder case is Sept. 29, 2017.
The case was prosecuted by Kane County Assistant State’s Attorneys Greg Sams and Joseph Gay.
“Mr. Ingram was a convicted felon and on parole at the time he was arrested for selling drugs. He has no regard for the community and belongs in prison,” Kane County State’s Attorney Joe McMahon said.
The pending charges against Ingram are not proof of guilt. Ingram is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial in which it is the state’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
PENNSYLVANIA MAN GUILTY OF PAYING TO HAVE SEX WITH CHILDREN
ARRESTED AT AURORA HOTEL; FACES MINIMUM 6-YEAR PRISON TERM
Aug. 3, 2017
A Pennsylvania man faces a mandatory prison sentence after being convicted for traveling to Aurora and paying to have a sexual encounter with children.
A Kane County jury on Wednesday, Aug. 2, 2017, convicted 38-year-old Shane R. Lewis of involuntary sexual servitude of a minor, a Class X felony, traveling to meet a minor, a Class 3 felony, and grooming, a Class 4 felony.
The jurors deliberated for about two hours before reaching the verdict.
Kane County prosecutors presented evidence that on Jan. 8, 2015, Lewis, who was in the Chicago area for business purposes, traveled from DuPage County to an Aurora hotel with the intent to pay to have sex with what he believed would be a 14-year-old girl and a 15-year-old girl. When Lewis arrived at the hotel, he met a person he thought was the girls’ mother, confirmed that he wanted sexual favors, paid the person $200, and was arrested by officers from Homeland Security Investigations and the Aurora Police Department.
Lewis testified during the trial that his intent was to engage in sexual conduct with the children.
Associate Judge Linda S. Abrahamson set Lewis’ next court appearance for 1:30 p.m. Sept. 22, 2017, for motions and sentencing. Lewis faces a sentence of between six and 30 years’ imprisonment in the Illinois Department of Corrections.
In addition to the prison term, Lewis must register for 10 years as a sexual offender in accordance with the Illinois Sexual Offender Registration Act.
Lewis had been free on $12,500 bond. Bond was revoked upon conviction and Lewis was taken into custody.
The case was prosecuted by Kane County Assistant State’s Attorney Christine Bayer and Kane County First Assistant State’s Attorney Jody Gleason.
“My thanks to the jury for listening to and considering the evidence the last three days, and for understanding that human trafficking is an unconscionable act that must end. My office remains committed to holding accountable those who seek to exploit children,” Kane County State’s Attorney Joe McMahon said.
Shane R. Lewis: Age 38 (d.o.b. 2-7-1979), of the 500 block of North Mill Road, Kennett Square, Pa.
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. All photos are from the KCSAO Facebook Page.
