WCSO Press Releases

Sheriff Mike Kelley is pleased to announce the recent arrest of Jerald D. Shumpert (age 47) of Joliet for the offense of Armed Habitual Criminal and Unlawful Use of a Weapon by a Felon.  Detectives with the Will County Sheriff’s Office took Shumpert into custody during the morning court call at the Will County Courthouse.

Shumpert was scheduled for court on an unrelated case, and Judge Dave Carlson read aloud new charges related to the 02/04/2022 homicide investigation of Leelinn Fox (age 26) of Joliet.  Judge Carlson set the bond amount for the aforementioned charges at $1,000,000.00-10% to apply.  After the charges were read to Shumpert, he was subsequently taken into custody on the warrant.

On 02/04/2022, at approximately 1:28 AM, deputies with the Will County Sheriff’s Office responded to 1500 block of Maple Road in Joliet Township for a complaint of shots fired.  Once deputies arrived on scene, they located Leelinn Fox, bleeding from the head from a gunshot wound.  Deputies on scene attempted to render aid to Fox, and East Joliet Fire Protection arrived on scene to transport him to a local area hospital.

Shortly after arriving at the hospital, Leelinn Fox, was pronounced deceased by hospital staff.  It was reported to deputies on scene that there was a party being held at the house, which consisted of only friends and family.  Furthermore, there were approximately twenty to twenty-five people attending the party.  However, when deputies first arrived on scene there were only a handful of individuals remaining at the residence.  Detectives and Crime Scene Investigators (CSI) were summoned to the scene to begin to conduct the investigation.

For over a month, detectives with the Will County Sheriff’s Office have been working diligently to try to piece together what occurred during the early morning hours of 02/04/2022 at that residence.  A key piece of evidence led detectives to identify Shumpert as a person of interest in this investigation.  After gathering enough evidence, detectives were able to determine that Shumpert was the only suspect in the homicide investigation of Leelinn Fox.

Sheriff Mike Kelley had this to say about the detectives efforts in apprehending Shumpert in this homicide investigation.  “Even though detectives and Crime Scene Investigators (CSI) met resistance from potential witnesses, they were able to gather good physical evidence and enough information pertaining to the person responsible for this crime.  I am proud of all of the hard work and dedication shown in this case, and I look forward to additional charges being filed at a later date for this cowardly violent act.”

Jerald D. Shumpert is currently being housed at the Will County Adult Detention Facility (WCADF) with his bond set at $1,000,000.00, awaiting his next court appearance.  

The Will County Sheriff’s Office Traffic Unit is advising those who operate semi-tractor trailers or heavy farm equipment, that the Illinois Department of Transportation has lowered the weight limit on the Rt. 45 Bridge between Barr Road and Wilmington-Peotone Road in Peotone.  Because of poor bridge structure conditions, last week, IDOT lowered the limit and has placed warning signage from Frankfort on U.S. 30 down to Kankakee County.  The signage is now 24 tons for single vehicles and 35 tons for combination vehicles. 

Over the past week, Sheriff’s deputies and State Police have been giving verbal warnings to drivers with overweight loads and have spoken to farmers in the area.   Beginning Monday,

March 7, deputies and state police will be ticketing offenders.   Those who receive tickets can expect to pay fines from $1,000 to $5,000.   Please take alternate routes.

Will County Sheriff's Office is reporting that Wilmington-Peotone Road at Route 45 and at Old Chicago Road are now reopened.  Additionally, Route 52 and Cedar Road have reopened.

Snow plows remain in the areas in their attempts to keep the rural and main roadways clear for traffic.  Wind conditions continue to cause travel dangerous.  

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Reporting at 7:30am:

Sheriff's Office is reporting that a semi-truck is stuck in the snow on Wilmington-Peotone Road.  Deputies have closed Wilmington-Peotone Road at Route 45 and Wilmington-Peotone and Old Chicago Road.

 Deputies have also closed Route 52 and Cedar Road to assist in diverting traffic and especially semi-trucks that pass thru those areas. 

These roads will be closed for the next few hours until the semi-truck is cleared from the snow and the roads can be plowed and cleared for safe travel.  The drifting snow continues to make these roads extremely hazardous.  

WE ARE URGING MOTORISTS TO STAY AWAY FROM THESE AREAS AND ALL RURAL ROADWAYS!

High winds have caused drifting snow onto all rural and open roadways making travel impossible.  Snow plows, tow trucks and emergency vehicles are also having a hard time assisting stranded motorists as they have become stuck in the drifts as well.

If you are traveling today, please be prepared to have a charged cell phone, several blankets, layered clothing, and water.   You must plan on the possibility of being stuck inside or outside of your vehicle until emergency personnel can get to you and to a safe, warm location.   

No severe accidents have been reported on unincorporated Will County roadways throughout the evening hours.  

Updates will be released throughout the day.

The Will County Sheriff's Office is announcing the arrest of Justin J. Russell, age 33, and Lauren L. Russell, age 27, of 24444 W. Kipling Court in Joliet regarding child pornography charges.

On December 16, 2021, Sheriff's detectives received a cyber-tip from the Illinois Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.  The tip was transferred to the Sheriff's Office once it was discovered that the potential suspects lived in Will County jurisdiction.

Once Sheriff's detectives received the information, they began a thorough investigation involving Justin and Lauren Russell sharing and uploading multiple images and videos of child pornography.  Detectives secured a search warrant on January 11, 2022 and executed the warrant at the Russell residence the next day.  Electronic devices and additional evidence was seized for forensic examination.  The Russell's were at the residence at the time the warrant was served.  They both refused to speak with detectives and exercised their rights to an attorney.

Upon obtaining several of the forensic analysis results and processing evidence, an arrest warrant was granted on January 28, 2022.  The Sheriff's Warrant Division picked up Mr. and Mrs. Russell today at their home.  They were taken into custody and booked into the Adult Detention Facility, both charged with three counts of child pornography.  Each has a $5million bond (10%).

This case remains open as further evidence is being examined and processed.

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