WCSO Press Releases

Shortly after 2:00pm today the Sheriff's Dispatch Center received a call from an employee of the Will County Highway Department who stated that while cutting grass along Manhattan-Monee Road they discovered a deceased person.  The body was in a ditch along Manhattan-Monee Road, west of Harlem Avenue, in Green Garden Township.  The body appears to have been there for some time and cannot be identified. 

At this time the Will County Sheriff's Office Crime Scene Investigators are on the scene.  The Will County Coroner's Office has been notified.  The roadway in that area is closed and will remain closed until deputies have completed their investigation.   No further information is available at this time. 

If anyone has any information please call the Will County Sheriff's office at 815-727-8575.

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Will County Sheriff Mike Kelley is announcing the arrest of Sean Fields, age 31, of Frankfort.  The Sheriff's Office Investigation Division was contacted in March by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children with a tip concerning an IP address that contained thousands of child pornography images.  After a thorough investigation, detectives determined that the pornography was downloaded from a residence in Frankfort Township.

Yesterday, detectives executed a search warrant at 7541 W. Inverness Lane in Frankfort and spoke with Fields about his use of the specific IP account.  Fields cooperated with detectives and made statements incriminating himself.  He was taken into custody without incident and was charged with two counts of possession of child pornography.  He will appear in bond court tomorrow. -end-

Last night, (5/8/17) at 8:20pm, the Will County Sheriff's Gang Suppression Unit arrested three subjects after a traffic stop was performed on a vehicle that they observed crossing over the center line on three occasions.  Deputies made the stop in the area of Monee-Manhattan Road near the intersection of Harlem Avenue, Green Garden Township.

The driver, Jorge Vargas-Moreno, age 31, of 5436 S. Sawyer in Chicago, appeared nervous and was trembling as deputies were speaking with him.  He was asked to get out of the vehicle, along with his two passengers;  Bulmaro Castelan-Diaz, age 35, of 5946 S. Paulina in Chicago and Yolanda Tavira-Berrum, age 22, of 1017 Third Street in LaSalle, IL.

Sheriff's K-9, Roxy, was brought to the scene and conducted a sniff search where he hit positive for narcotics in the rear trunk area of the car.  A search of the trunk yielded 20 kilos of wrapped bricks containing cocaine.  Street value:  $1,125,000.00

Sheriff's deputies took the three subjects into custody where they were charged with unlawful delivery of a controlled substance.  They will appear in bond court today at 1:30pm.     -end-

*4 photos attached

Photo of Castelan-Diaz - hair standing up on head                                                                       Photo of Vargas-Moreno - hair combed forward

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The Will County Sheriff's Office has been contacted by Will County Coroner, Patrick J. O'Neil, who advised that upon the conclusion of the autopsy of Semaj Crosby, it has been determined to be 'pending further studies'.  Sheriff's detectives are continuing their investigation into Semaj's death and until toxicology and further determination from the Coroner's Office is complete and until the investigation is complete, this case remains open.  

This morning, the Sheriff's Office contacted the Will County Land Use Department to conduct a status check of the residence at 309 Louis Road, Joliet Township.  Upon the conclusion of their examination they have deemed the house uninhabitable and have red-tagged it.

 The Sheriff's Office would like to thank the FBI, the Will Grundy Major Crimes Task Force, surrounding area Fire Department personnel, the American Red Cross and the Salvation Army, who all responded and aided in the search for Semaj.  The resources provided were invaluable.

This has been a very emotional situation for family members and friends, as well as for all first responders.  The Sheriff's Office would like to thank the many volunteers and the entire community who have been deeply concerned about the safety of Semaj.  The outreach, support, and prayers were extraordinary.  

Any further information on this case will be released when appropriate.  -end-

At approximately 1:00pm Sheriff's detectives located a person of interest at the Hi-Way Motel, 159th and Central Park in Markham, IL .   Deputies had recovered the stolen vehicle, a 2015 Chrysler 200, earlier today in Robbins and were in communication with area police departments that led to the arrest.  The subject is being transported to the Will County Sheriff's Office where charges are pending.  Sheriff's detectives are working with Oak Forest Police regarding possible charges for this subject.  Oak Forest PD believe the subject may be involved in a similar armed robbery that occurred in their jurisdiction.   -end-

Sheriff Mike Kelley is announcing the arrest of Andrew D. Stewart, age 29, of Aurora, IL.  Yesterday, February 27th, Will County Detectives set up a meeting with Stewart as part of an ongoing investigation where Stewart was attempting to meet two young boys under the age of 13 for sex.  Stewart was immediately taken into custody and charged with Indecent Solicitation of a Child and Traveling to Meet a Minor.

At the time of the arrest, Andrew had in his possession two condoms and cell phones that contained videos of pornographic images of children.  Upon being interviewed by detectives, Andrew made statements of his continued intentions of having sex with children.  He advised detectives that "if the police did not stop him....he would have had sex and sexual acts with the (minors)". 

Andrew D. Stewart is currently being held at the Will County Adult Detention Facility where he is awaiting bond court.  -end-