WCSO Press Releases

Will County Sheriff Mike Kelley is announcing the second Covid-19 positive case has been confirmed within the Sheriff’s Office.   On Friday, March 27^th, the male deputy called in sick and stated that he was experiencing Covid symptoms.  He self-quarantined at home and went for testing. He received his positive results after 10 days.

 The deputy is currently assigned to the Will County Courthouse and travels throughout the courthouse during his daily duties.  Since his self-quarantine, 13 days ago, there have been no other reported courthouse deputies or employees with symptoms.

 The Sheriff’s Office reported its first deputy with Covid-19 on April 6^th.  He remains at home and is recovering.     

Will County Sheriff Mike Kelley is announcing that one of his deputies has tested positive for Covid-19.  This is the first Sheriff’s employee who has been reported with the virus.  The male deputy is a member of the Sheriff’s Gang Suppression Unit and began experiencing symptoms 10 days ago.  The deputy is at home and has self-quarantined since then.  Approximately two weeks ago, the deputy and three other Sheriff’s deputies from the Gang Suppression Unit, and an officer from an outside agency, were performing a narcotics seizure and were in close proximity to each other.  It is believed that it was during that seizure that the deputy contracted the virus.  The other officers have been tested, are at home, and awaiting test results.  The officer from the outside agency is experiencing symptoms; the three Sheriff’s deputies are currently symptom-free.    

Sheriff Kelley was also notified today that the Director of nursing who works for Wellpath, the medical provider who is contracted for the Adult Detention Facility, has also tested positive for Covid-19.  The Director does not interact with detention facility staff nor inmates and had no contact with anyone inside the facility.  She began feeling ill on Thursday, April 2^nd and is currently at home.

Sheriff Kelley, his command staff, and employees of the Sheriff’s Office, are troubled by this news but remain vigilant and are closely monitoring and following recommended state and federal guidelines during this outbreak as they continue to keep our communities safe.

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On 04/02/2020, at approximately 8:00 PM, deputies from the Will County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to the 400 block of Bruce Road in Lockport Township for a welfare check.  Upon deputies arriving on scene, they observed two separate individuals laying on the floor of the residence, with obvious signs of trauma to their heads. 

All of the doors and windows of the residence were locked from the inside.  Police and fire personnel forced entry into the residence.  Deputies located Patrick Jesernik, age 54, and Cheryl Schriefer, age 59, in separate rooms of the residence, both deceased.  Both individuals had a pooling of blood formed around their heads.  A loaded revolver, containing two spent shell casings and three live rounds were located near Patrick’s body.  There were no signs of a struggle, and the home was neat and orderly.

The complainant advised deputies on scene that he was contacted by the parents of Patrick Jesernik, who asked him to check on their son because they had not heard from him. 

Detectives and Crime Scene Investigators from the Will County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to the residence and began to process the scene and conduct a death investigation.  The Will County Coroner’s Office arrived on scene and pronounced both subjects deceased. 

A check of the address was conducted by detectives which showed no previous calls for service in regards to domestic disputes.   A check of both deceased individuals was also conducted which showed very limited police contact.

Family arrived on scene and stated that Patrick had been scared that he and Cheryl had contracted the COVID-19 virus, and that Cheryl was tested two days ago.  It was reported that Cheryl was having a hard time breathing.  The family stated that to their knowledge, she had not received the test result.    

On 04/03/2020, an autopsy was conducted on both deceased individuals.  Both subjects died as a result of a single gunshot wound to the head.  Cheryl Schriefer was shot in the back of the head at close range, and her death is ruled as a homicide.  Patrick died as a result of a self-inflicted gunshot wound, and his death is ruled as a suicide.  Both Cheryl and Patrick tested negative for the COVID-19 virus.

During the current COVID-19 pandemic, the vast majority of service calls that Deputies have been responding to, involve domestic disputes and crisis intervention calls.  As a reminder, if anyone is a victim of a domestic violence situation, the Will County Courthouse remains open for individuals in need of obtaining an order of protection.  The Will County Courthouse is open Monday thru Friday from 8:30 AM-3:30 PM, and on Saturdays from 8:30 AM-12:00 PM for the issuance of orders of protection.

If anyone requires assistance in obtaining an order of protection, seeks additional resources or information in regards to domestic violence, you can contact Will County Sheriff’s Office Police Social Worker, Bonnie McPhillips at 815-724-1878. 

In addition, you can reach out to Guardian Angel Community Service Groundwork 24 hour domestic violence hotline at 815-729-1228 or reach out to the Will County Crisis Hotline online at 815-722-3344 or online at http://www.willfinduhelp.org/.

     Will County Sheriff Mike Kelley is announcing changes to the daily operations of the Sheriff’s Office, Public Safety Building, 16911 W. Laraway Road in Joliet and to the Adult Detention Facility, 95 S. Chicago Street, and Video Visitation Building, 20 S. Chicago Street in Joliet.  These changes are due to the current precautions the nation is taking with the Covid-19 virus.  Please be advised.

     For the safety and well-being of our deputies and the public, all scheduled evictions will stop for 30 days.

     Beginning immediately, thru March 31^st, public access to the Public Safety Complex will temporarily be stopped.  The front lobby doors will be locked.  Please follow the following guidelines in order to take care of necessary business you need from the Sheriff’s Office:

1)      If you are a victim of a minor crime, you are in need of a police report, or you have a general question we encourage you to visit the Sheriff’s website at www.willcosheriff.org.  On the website, you will see a list of Online Forms.  You will find forms such as ‘Online Police Report’, ‘FOIA a Police Report’, and ‘Contact the Sheriff’s Office’.   Click on the link that pertains to your situation, fill it out and submit it.    

2)      If you are in need of speaking to a deputy call 911 or the non-emergency number at 815-727-8575 and a deputy will be dispatched to your location.

3)      If you are a registered sex offender and need to register or update your information you may come to the Public Safety Building and push the call button that is located between the two entrance doors.  Someone will assist you.

4)      If you need to pick-up evidence in your reported case, please call the Evidence Division at 815-727-4736 to schedule a pick-up time. 

     Regarding the Will County Sheriff’s Adult Detention Facility – The Adult Detention Facility as well as the Video Visitation Building is temporarily closed to all visitors/public.  Professional visitors such as attorneys, therapists, etc. are being required to schedule an appointment by calling 815-774-7950.  Your visitation request will be handled on a case-by-case basis. 

    Family/friends of current inmates can deposit funds into inmate commissary accounts at www.jailatm.com.

      Sheriff Kelley is staying apprised of the most current updates from the CDC, as well as from Will County officials.  He has met with several professionals throughout the day and is taking this outbreak seriously.  Staff members of the Sheriff’s Office and Adult Detention Facility are being advised as best practices are being put into place in order to keep everyone healthy. 

 We are asking the public for their understanding and patience as we all do our part to get through this as safely as possible.   If any further changes are necessary, the public will be advised. 

WILL COUNTY SUBSTANCE ABUSE PREVENTION COALITION HONORED AT CADCA’S NATIONAL LEADERSHIP FORUM

National Harbor, Maryland – On Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2020, the Will County Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition was one of 148 community coalitions honored during a graduation ceremony at CADCA’s (Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America) 30^th Annual National Leadership Forum, just outside of Washington, D.C.  The coalitions received a graduation certificate for completing CADCA’s National Coalition Academy, a rigorous training program designed to increase the effectiveness of community substance use and misuse prevention leaders.

“We are very honored to have had the opportunity to learn from experts in the field of substance abuse prevention.  Our team was able to enhance our ability to implement and evaluate our prevention plans, as well as our ability to effectively sustain our coalition efforts.  We look forward to many more years of educating the youth in an attempt to prevent youth substance use.”  -Coalition Program Director Bonnie McPhillips  

"Since being elected Sheriff, one of my first commitments was to build a coalition to help educate the youth of Will County about the dangers of substance abuse and addiction.  With the help of Will County Executive Larry Walsh and his office, the Will County Sheriff's Office partnered up to form the Will County Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition.  The coalition has been thriving ever since, and has done some wonderful things throughout Will County.  Just by graduating this nationally renowned training program is a testament to the commitment and determination of all of those involved."  -Sheriff Mike Kelley    

The coalition recently worked on a sticker shock campaign that focused on local area retailers that sell liquor.  Members of our coalition youth group, would go into these establishments and sticker bottles of liquor, all packaged beer and wine, as well as any packaged liquor.  The coalition also teamed up with our law enforcement partners in conducting alcohol compliance checks throughout Will County.  Throughout 2019, the Will County Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition also hosted community events throughout Will County, that educated the youth about the dangers of substance abuse and encouraged the youth to be drug and alcohol free.  The Will County Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition has hosted numerous events with the Will County Sheriff’s Office “Hidden in Plain Sight Trailer” (HIPS), which educates parents where their children may be hiding elicit substances in their bedrooms.  In 2019, the HIPS trailer was deployed at 13 different events sponsored by the Will County Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition, to which 685 people participated in the educational experience.  The Will County Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition meets every 4^th Tuesday of the month, and if you would like additional information on how to become a member, please contact Program Coordinator Robert Whooley at Rwhooley@willcosheriff.org.    

CADCA’s National Coalition Academy (NCA) is a comprehensive, year-long training program developed by CADCA’s National Coalition Institute. The NCA incorporates three, week-long classroom sessions, a web-based distance learning component, an online workstation where participants network and share planning products and free ongoing coalition development technical assistance. To graduate, coalitions must complete a rigorous curriculum. They must participate in all components of the NCA and complete five essential planning products that serve as the foundation of their comprehensive plan for community change.

CADCA’s National Leadership Forum is a four-day event packed with opportunities to learn the latest strategies to address substance use and misuse. Attendees have to opportunity to hear and learn from nationally prevention experts, federal administrators and concerned policymakers. Forum brings together approximately 3,000 attendees representing coalitions from all regions of the country and internationally, government leaders, youth, prevention specialists, addiction treatment professionals, addiction recovery advocates, researchers, educators, law enforcement professionals and faith-based leaders. It is the largest training event for the prevention field.

The Will County Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition’s goal is to work with the community to ensure a brighter future, by eliminating youth substance and alcohol abuse and providing opportunities that will promote a healthy and quality life. 

About CADCA

The mission of CADCA (Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America) is to strengthen the capacity of community coalitions to create and maintain safe, healthy and drug-free communities globally. This is accomplished by providing coalition development assistance and training, public policy advocacy, special events, media strategies and marketing programs.

The Will County Sheriff’s Office received a cyber-tip from the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force regarding an individual who was uploading and sharing child pornography.   Sheriff’s detectives investigated the individual and collected evidence, which led them to obtaining and executing a search warrant at Steven Cardenas' home in Frankfort on the morning of Friday, Feb 7^th.  Detectives took possession of electronic devices and brought Cardenas, age 30, in for questioning.  Cardenas made incriminating statements during the interview.  He was arrested for possession of child pornography and distribution of child pornography.   He appeared in bond court on February 8^th where he received a $50,000 bond (10% to apply).   Cardenas posted bond on the evening of February 8^th and was released.    -end-