WCSO Press Releases

Sheriff Mike Kelley and Coroner Pat O’Neil would like to announce that a year-long investigation has come to a conclusion, with the positive identification of a deceased individual discovered in Unincorporated Washington Township near Beecher, Illinois.

On 5/28/19 at approximately 8:48pm Will County Sheriff Investigators and the Will County Coroner’s Office were called to an address in Unincorporated Washington Township for a body that was found inside of a shed.  An investigation ensued in an attempt to identify the badly decomposed body.  It was determined early in the investigation that the unidentified person died of exposure and no foul play was suspected.

Due to the close proximity of horse stables and rodeos in the area, Will County Sheriff’s Office detectives believed the victim to be a local farm hand or rodeo worker that had been in the area. 

The Will County Coroner’s Office enlisted the assistance of Forensic Anthropologist Professor Cris Hughes from the University of Illinois.  Professor Hughes provided analysis that indicated the deceased was a male, had Native American features and numerous healed fractures.  These injuries are consistent with a rodeo worker.  In order to recreate facial features that might be utilized to identify the body, the Coroner’s office enlisted the help of Community Service Officer Beth Buchholtz, Department of Public Safety, Longmont County.  Beth is a trained facial/cranial reconstructionist. Working with the skull she was able to develop an image of what the person may have looked like.

Flyers in both English and Spanish were then circulated around the area farms, ranches, and local businesses.  The Coroner’s Office was soon contacted by an individual who lived in Bradley, Illinois.  This individual claimed the unidentified body may be his cousin, Reynaldo Balleza-Banda.  The description fit, and he had not heard from his cousin since February 2019.  The Will County Coroners Office then located and contacted Reynaldo’s immediate family residing in Mexico.  They indicated they had not heard from Reynaldo since late January, which is unusual.

Further investigation from the Coroner’s Office determined that DNA from the cousin in Bradley, Illinois could be used as a comparison to Reynaldo’s DNA due to the family marriage dynamics.

Detectives with the Will County Sheriff’s Office traveled to Bradley, Illinois and obtained a DNA sample from Reynaldo’s cousin.  The DNA was subsequently sent to the Northeastern Illinois Regional Crime Lab for comparison.

On 5/18/20 Will County Investigations were contacted by forensic scientist Sarah Ozanick from the Northeastern Illinois Regional Crime Lab.  Sarah confirmed that the two DNA samples analyzed indicated that the deceased subject found, and the person who provided a DNA swab were in fact closely related.  Along with several other aspects of the case, along with the DNA, it was determined that the person found almost a year earlier is that of Reynaldo Balleza-Banda.

Sheriff Mike Kelley and Coroner Pat O’Neil would like to thank all of the individuals that worked tirelessly on this investigation to identify the remains of Reynaldo Balleza-Banda, and ultimately bring closure to a grieving family.  The official cause of death is UNDETERMINED.

On 05/13/2020, at approximately 10:04 PM, deputies with the Will County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to the 200 block of Robson Avenue in Unincorporated Lockport Township in reference to a shooting.  Three victims were located on scene.  One of the victims was a 25-year-old male, who suffered a gunshot wound to the back.  This victim was transported to a local area hospital in critical condition and underwent surgery.  As of this writing, the victim’s condition is stable. 

   In addition, a 17-year-old male was struck by gunfire in the buttocks.  This victim was transported to a local area hospital and later released.  The third victim suffered a graze wound to the hand.  This victim refused treatment on scene.  Several houses in the area also suffered property damage, but were not the intended targets and no one was injured. 

   Detectives with the Will County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to the area to investigate this incident.  Numerous interviews have been conducted and evidence was collected from the crime scene.  There is currently no one in custody for this incident.  This investigation is in its early stages. Updates will be provided when appropriate.     -end-

Yesterday, April 28^th, the Will County Sheriff’s Office responded to two calls regarding shots fired  where three men were injured and transported to Silver Cross Hospital in Joliet.

    Sheriff’s deputies responded to a call at 5:30pm to the area of Park and Washington Street in Joliet Township where they spoke to an 18-year-old male who stated that he was on E. Washington Street when he was chased by a van and was shot in the chest.  No other information was provided.  The 18-year-old was later airlifted from Silver Cross to Loyola Medical Center.

   Deputies were also dispatched to a nearby residence where they spoke to a 17-year-old male subject who had been shot in the left hand.  He stated that he was walking on Washington Street when a vehicle pulled up and shot at him.  The subject was uncooperative and was transported to the hospital.

   A shotgun was recovered at the scene.  Video surveillance is being reviewed.

    At 6pm, Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to a residence on Nobes Avenue in Lockport Township regarding a 44-year-old male victim who was shot.  The victim stated that while he was bringing groceries into a residence, an unknown vehicle drove by and shot towards the home.  Lockport Fire personnel transported the man to the hospital with a gunshot wound to his pelvis. He stated that he did not see the offending vehicle and was unable to provide any further information.  His condition is unknown at this time.

    Both of these incidents are under investigation.  Detectives believe that these two cases are unrelated.   If anyone has any information regarding either incident, please call the Sheriff’s Investigations Unit at 815-727-8574.    –end-

In these uncertain times, we have all seen the stories of the heroes who are on the front lines fighting for all of us and risking their own lives.  We as first responders have been faced with the added fear and anxiety with keeping ourselves safe and healthy, as well as Will County residents.   

In our new reality, and with any crisis or extreme situation, there are always those in the background that step-up and go above and beyond to help.  Human kindness truly exposes itself and we could not be more grateful for that kindness and support that we have experienced in the recent weeks.  

Will County Sheriff Mike Kelley, the command staff, deputies, correctional deputies, and lay staff would like to take a moment to recognize and thank the people from these organizations and businesses who have stepped up and have so graciously donated hand sanitizer and/or masks to the Will County Sheriff’s Office.

*United Way of Will County

*CH Distillery (Malort), Chicago

*Koval Distillery, Chicago

*Stepan Chemical, Joliet

*Hot Rod Barn, Joliet

In addition, we would like to thank Will County Emergency Management for their continued hard work and for providing us with PPE, especially in the beginning stages of the outbreak. We would also like to thank those local businesses, vendors and schools, who wish to remain anonymous, who have also donated to the Sheriff’s Office.

YOUR THOUGHTFULNESS AND GENEROSITY ARE VERY MUCH APPRECIATED!

Stay Safe!

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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.

  –end-