“Joint State’s Attorney and Sheriff Investigation Results in Charges Against Cook County Probation Officer in Murder-for-Hire Plot

Bond was set at $500,000 today for a Cook County Probation Officer charged in a murder-for-hire plot for allegedly offering to pay a man to kill his wife for $1,000, following a joint investigation by the offices of the Cook County State’s Attorney and the Cook County Sheriff.

Michael Dickerson, 47, a Cook County Probation Gang Intelligence Officer, has been charged with Solicitation of Murder for Hire, a Class X felony.  If convicted, Dickerson
faces from 20 to 40 years in prison.

According to prosecutors and investigators, the case came to light late last month after an attorney informed the State’s Attorney’s Office that his client was solicited by Dickerson to commit a murder-for-hire.  According to investigators, Dickerson approached the individual and told him that he “needed someone to go away.”  Dickerson then told the individual that he would pay him and he provided the individual with vehicle identification information, as well as a time and location where the intended
victim, his wife, could be located.

The State’s Attorney’s Office and the Sheriff’s Office began a joint investigation, and on May 28, 2010, a court order for audio and video eavesdropping was obtained.  In
subsequent meetings with the individual, Dickerson also provided a description of a new car that the intended target would be driving and a license plate number.  Upon further investigation, investigators were able to confirm that the intended target of the murder was, in fact, the wife of Dickerson, and that the information provided by Dickerson corresponded to her daily commute.

According to prosecutors, Dickerson met with the individual during the course of the investigation and physically identified his wife and told the individual that he wanted him to “make it look like a robbery,” and “after you shoot her, I got you.”  Based upon the investigation, Dickerson believed “his marriage was messed up and he wanted out of it” and he intended to pay the murderer $1,000 from his wife’s life insurance policy.  Dickerson was taken into custody early Tuesday.

Dickerson appeared in bond court this morning before Cook County Judge Donald Panarese who set the $500,000 bond and also ordered Dickerson to stay away from the victim, and to surrender his passport and all firearms.  The next court date in the case is scheduled for June 28, 2010.

The public is reminded that criminal charging documents contain allegations that are not evidence of guilt.  The defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial at which the state has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.”

“Suburban Police Lieutenant Indicted In Brutality Case

A Park Ridge Police Lieutenant has been indicted on multiple charges of battery and official misconduct for beating two teen-aged boys who had vandalized his car in an incident that took place in 2006, according to the office of Cook County State’s Attorney Anita Alvarez.

Jason Leavitt, age 39 and a 16-year veteran of the Park Ridge Police Department, surrendered to authorities today without incident, and he is scheduled to appear in bond court at the Cook County Criminal Courts Building later this morning to make his initial appearance on the unsealed indictment.  Leavitt is charged with
three counts of Aggravated Battery (Class 3 felony) and seven counts of Official Misconduct (Class 3 felony).

The charges stem from an incident that occurred in the early morning hours of Oct. 28, 2006, when Leavitt was off-duty and driving his personal vehicle.  The two 15-year-old victims were in a cemetery in Park Ridge and were shooting at cars with a slingshot as they drove past on Touhy Avenue. The victims struck the defendant’s personal car as he was driving past, shattering his rear window.

According to court documents, Leavitt radioed the Park Ridge Police dispatcher about the incident and chased the victims as they fled the cemetery. Leavitt caught up to one of the victims as he attempted to escape by climbing over a fence and struck him on the back of the head with an unidentified object causing him to lose consciousness.

According to court documents, he then continued beating the victim until a responding police officer pulled Leavitt off and handcuffed the victim. The defendant struck the victim an additional time as he was being placed in the officer’s squad car.

A short distance away, a second group of responding officers had apprehended the second victim and had handcuffed him and left him lying on the ground on his  stomach. Leavitt then traveled to that location and  approached the second victim as he lay on the ground and began kicking him in the back of the head causing him to chip his tooth and scrape his chin.

While still handcuffed and in the back of a squad car, Leavitt attacked the second victim a second time and began punching him in the face. The victim attempted to escape the attack by sliding over to opposite side of the car. Leavitt then walked around to the other side of the vehicle, opened the door and continued to punch the victim.

Both of the victims were transported to the Park Ridge police  station and where their juvenile cases were later dismissed.  The day after the incident one of the
juveniles received medical treatment for a concussion.

With the assistance of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office began an investigation after learning of the incident in January of 2009.  The state criminal investigation remains ongoing.

Leavitt will appear at the Cook County Criminal Courthouse at 26th and California at 11 am in courtroom 101 where his indictment will be announced.

The public is reminded that criminal charging documents contain allegations that are not evidence of guilt.  The defendant is presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial at which the state has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.”

“Chicago Police Sergeant Charged In Brutality Case

A Chicago Police Sergeant was arrested today and is facing felony criminal charges in connection with the arrest of a defendant last October in which the Sergeant is captured on videotape repeatedly slapping the man across the face despite the fact that the defendant was handcuffed and in compliance with police orders, Cook County State’s Attorney Anita Alvarez announced today.

Sergeant Edward Howard Jr., 48, is scheduled to appear in bond court today where he will be charged with Aggravated Battery (Class 3 felony) and Official Misconduct (Class 3 felony) for commission of the offense in his official capacity as a Chicago Police Officer.  Howard has been employed as a Chicago Police Officer since August of 1986.

“It is a sad and difficult day for all of us in law enforcement when an incident such as this occurs and criminal charges are warranted,” said Alvarez.  “We recognize
that police officers have difficult jobs and work under challenging circumstances, but every law enforcement officer holds his or her powers through the public trust and this officer’s senseless act against a defendant who was handcuffed and compliant constitutes a violation of that trust.”

According to prosecutors, the incident occurred on Oct. 11, 2010 at approximately 10:15 p.m. in the parking lot of a fast food restaurant at 7904 S. Vincennes.  The 19-year-old victim and two friends had been arrested by two Chicago Police Officers for Criminal Trespass to Land after walking out of the restaurant.

The victim immediately complied with the orders of the responding police officers, walked to the squad car in the parking lot and placed his hands on the car.  The
officers handcuffed him behind his back and searched him without incident.  Other officers began to arrive and after the scene had been secured, Sgt. Howard arrived and walked up to the victim.  While several officers watched, Howard struck the victim on three separate occasions across the face with an open hand.  The final strike was  forceful enough to knock the victim backwards and off balance against the squad car.

The 19-year-old victim sustained cuts, bruising and swelling to his upper and lower lips and redness and swelling to the face.  The victim was taken to the 6th police
district for processing after the incident and released from custody several hours later.  That same morning the victim and his mother reported the incident to the Independent Police Review Authority for investigation and the case was then referred to the State’s Attorney’s Office to be reviewed for criminal charges.

Videotaped footage recovered from the restaurant’s surveillance system corroborates both the victim and other eyewitness accounts of the defendant’s abusive use of force against the handcuffed victim, according to prosecutors.

Howard surrendered to authorities this morning and he is scheduled to appear in bond court at the Cook County Criminal Courts Building at 26th and California at 11:45 a.m.

Alvarez thanked the Independent Police Review Authority and the Chicago Police Department for their cooperation in the investigation.

The public is reminded that criminal charging documents contain allegations that are not evidence of guilt.  The defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial at which the state has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.”

“TWO CHICAGO POLICE OFFICERS CHARGED WITH SEXUAL ASSAULT WHILE ON DUTY

Two Chicago Police Officers have been charged with Criminal Sexual Assault and Official Misconduct in connection with incidents in which the officers, while on duty and in their official capacities, picked up women on the North Side and sexually assaulted them, Cook County State’s Attorney Anita Alvarez announced today.

Officer Paul Clavijo, 38, and Officer Juan Vasquez, also 38, appeared in bond court today on charges of Criminal Sexual Assault (Class 1 felony) and Official Misconduct (Class 3 felony) in connection with the assault of a 22-year-old woman that occurred March 30.  Clavijo has also been charged with Criminal Sexual Assault and Official Misconduct in connection with a separate assault against a 26-year-old woman that occurred earlier in March.

Clavijo and Vasquez have both been employed as Chicago Police Officers for 10 years.

“Citizens are expected to follow the orders of police officers and to respect their authority.  In these cases, these officers committed a disgusting violation of that
trust,” Alvarez said.  “And adding insult to injury they had the audacity to commit these acts while they were on duty and being paid by taxpayers to serve and protect.  It is a disheartening and brazen violation of the public trust that will not be tolerated.”

Interim Chicago Police Superintendent Terry Hillard said the offenses are insulting to hardworking Chicago police officers.

“The actions of these officers infuriate the thousands of honorable and proud officers that make up the Chicago Police Department, who have taken an oath to protect the citizens of Chicago,” Hillard said.  “There is zero tolerance for anyone who disgraces the badge by breaking the law and violating the law and the public’s trust.”

According to prosecutors, the incident in which both officers are charged occurred on March 30 at approximately 2 a.m. while the officers were working in the area of Addison and Sheffield in Chicago.  While in their marked vehicle the officers observed the victim walking alone when they stopped and picked her up.  The victim, who had been drinking alcohol earlier that evening, attempted to enter the back seat of the vehicle but was told by the officers to get in the front seat.

After she entered the vehicle the officers drove to a store where it is alleged that Vasquez parked the vehicle and went in the store to purchase alcohol.  While Vasquez was in the store, prosecutors say Clavijo sexually assaulted the woman in the Chicago Police Department vehicle.

The officers then drove to the woman’s apartment where it is alleged they drank alcohol with the victim, played strip poker with her, removed their clothing and sexually assaulted her.  The victim, who was extremely intoxicated, began to scream and pound on her apartment walls and her neighbors’ doors seeking help.

According to prosecutors, after the woman ran screaming for help, witnesses observed a man  running naked down the hallway and responding police officers recovered the cell phone and part of the Chicago Police uniform of Vasquez in the victim’s apartment.

The other incident in which Clavijo is charged occurred March 10 at approximately 1 a.m. while both officers were on duty together in the area of Clark and Sheffield.  Again, while in their marked vehicle, the officers observed a woman walking alone and stopped and offered her a ride.

The officers drove the victim home and asked to come into the apartment to use the restroom.  Once in the apartment, as his partner was using the restroom, prosecutors allege that Clavijo followed the woman into her bedroom where he is alleged to have pushed her onto the bed, pulled down her pants and performed a sex act on her.  When the woman objected the officers left the apartment.  According to prosecutors the victim did not immediately report the assault because she worked in the area and was intimidated because the offenders were police officers and knew where she lived.

Alvarez thanked Interim Superintendent Hillard and the Chicago Police Department for their assistance and cooperation in the investigation.

The public is reminded that criminal charging documents contain allegations that are not evidence of guilt.  The defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial at which the state has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.”

“A South Suburban Police Officer has been charged with intentionally injuring a teenager that he was taking into custody after the youth made a wisecrack to the officer in front of other teens, according to the Office of Cook County State’s Attorney Anita Alvarez.

Lynell Porch, 39, was charged with Aggravated Battery (Class 3 felony), Filing a False Report (Class 3 felony) and Official Misconduct (Class 3 felony). Porch has been a patrolman with the Calumet Park Police Department since 2007.

According to prosecutors, on the evening of June 16, 2010, Porch and a partner responded to a call of drug activity at a carwash near 127th and Laflin in Calumet Park. When they arrived the officers approached the 16-year- old victim as well as several other teenagers with him and conducted a protective pat-down for drugs.

When no evidence of narcotics was found, Officer Porch introduced himself to the victim as the town’s new gang and narcotics officer, at which time the victim made a wisecrack and laughed at Porch, who then arrested and handcuffed him.

According to prosecutors, while Porch was leading the teen to his police vehicle, he allegedly raised the victim’s cuffed hands up behind his back causing him to lean forward and then swept his feet out in front, causing him to fall face first onto the concrete. The victim sustained a large abrasion to his face, cuts and bruises to his shoulder and knee, and a broken tooth.

“This type of conduct by officers who are sworn to uphold the law is absolutely unacceptable and it will not be tolerated,” Alvarez said.

Surveillance video later showed Porch removing the victim from his squad car by grabbing his throat after he transported him back to the Calumet Park Police Station and then pushing him on to a bench in the booking room.

Medical personnel were called to the station to treat the victim and later took him to an area hospital. The victim required a crown replacement and a root canal to repair his broken tooth.

After the attack, Porch filed official police reports claiming the victim resisted when he took him to custody and that the injuries were the result of him tripping when he purportedly broke free and attempted to run away as he was led to the squad car. This was contradicted by the four other teens with the victim as well as Porch’s partner.

Porch surrendered to authorities this morning and appeared in bond court at the Cook County Criminal Courts Building at 26th and California where Judge Donald Panarese set his bond at $75,000.

The public is reminded that charging documents contain allegations that are not evidence of guilt. The defendant is entitled to a fair trial at which the state has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. “

Donald Owsley, 63, a retired Chicago police officer was found guilty of financial exploitation of the elderly and forgery. He allegedly attempted to bilk a 90-year-old man with dementia out of his $500,000 home, as well as $400,000 in bank accounts and investments

This was the second time Owsley befriended an elderly man and tried to bilk him out of his estate. The DeLeFleur family sued and the property was returned to his estate. However Owsley was not prosecuted because it was past the statute of limitations.

Due to the DeLeFleur case, the judge may enhance Osley’s sentence past the maximum of 15 years.

The Illinois Department of Corrections failed to notify state health officials of MRSA staph infections that have affected more than 1,400 inmates, and also visitors and guards, as reported by the Belleville News-Democrat. State law requires notification of health officials for every MRSA outbreak.

http://www.chicagobreakingnews.com/2009/08/report-dept-of-corrections-didnt-report-mrsa.html

“The report said 16 outbreaks of the drug-resistant staph infection occurred since the 2008 law went into effect, but 13 were not reported to health officials. MRSA, or methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, can cause life-threatening infections.”

The only evidence was his confession which was extracted from him by the above methods of torture. Burge has still not been punished for his crimes. Mayor Daley was States Attorney and he and his staff allegedly after torture sessions came into the detainees holding cell, wrote out the “confessions” and had the prisoners sign them.

The Appellate Court said that the confession was “enough” evidence and denied the appeal of this conviction for the torture and murder of Betty Howard. Police had arrested Clarence Trotter who had Betty’s possessions with him and left fingerprints.

The Sun Times has a detailed article about all this and  present attempts to exonerate and free Tillman. The People’s Law Office and Northwestern MacArthur Justice Center are litigating to bring this innocent man justice and life. He is presently serving a life sentence and his two children have now grown up without him.:

http://www.suntimes.com/news/24-7/1678441,CST-NWS-burge22.article

Former Cmd. Jon Burge of the Chicago Police is awaiting trail on perjury and obstruction of justice as the statute of limitations ran out on his other crimes. He is accussed of torturing dozens of prisoners into confessing by suffocation, electricity, crude waterboarding, and brutal beatings. The man does not deserve to be free. Dozens of inmates have already been freed but many remain wrongfully imprisoned.

I call on the legislature to pass a bill granting all of these people remaining in prison new trials and Gov. Quinn to make it a priority to review the cases of those remaining in prison for clemency/pardons for actual innocence.

I call upon the Illinois Appellate Court to sue sponte reverse their decision because “confession” under torture is not enough to convict especially when another man is caught with clear cut evidence. The Illinois Appellate Court will forever be in disrepute until they admit their error and correct it. We need a strong message that CONFESSION UNDER TORTURE IS NEVER ENOUGH!!!