WCSO Press Releases

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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Sheriff Mike Kelley is pleased to announce the recent arrests of three individuals that were involved in the mass shooting incident that occurred on Halloween night of 2021.  Joskar S. Ramos of Joliet (age 18), Thomas Lopez of Joliet (age 21), and Jeremy Lopez of Lockport Township (age 19) were all arrested on charges, stemming from last year’s mass shooting that left Holly Mathews and Jonathan Ceballos dead and several others injured. 

On 11/05/2021, members of the Will County Sheriff’s Office took Joskar Ramos into custody for various weapon related offenses.  While being apprehended, a deputy with the Will County Sheriff’s Office observed Joskar attempt to conceal a firearm on the roof of his residence.  Joskar was taken into custody without incident, and has been incarcerated at the Will County Adult Detention Facility since then on a $1,000,000 bond for the various weapons offenses.   

On December 29, 2021, detectives with the Will County Sheriff’s Police requested the assistance of the United States Marshals, Great Lakes Regional Fugitive Task Force in locating and arresting Thomas and Jeremy Lopez.  Members of the United States Marshal Service were able to identify addresses for the Lopez brothers, and that information was forwarded to detectives. 

On 01/04/2022, members of the Will County Gang Suppression Unit and Will County Sheriff’s Office Warrant Division who are also members of the United States Marshals Service Great Lakes Regional Fugitive Task Force, safely apprehended Thomas Lopez and Jeremy Lopez at their residences.

Detectives with the Will County Sheriff’s Police wanted Thomas and Jeremy Lopez, who are brothers, on probable cause charges for First Degree Murder.  The Lopez brothers are Vice Lord gang members, and have extensive weapons histories.

In the morning hours of 01/04/2022, members of the Will County Sheriff’s Office Warrant Division set up surveillance and later approached an address located in the 300 block of Franklin Street in Joliet in an attempt to apprehend Jeremy Lopez.  Jeremy Lopez had been identified as living at this address with Reyna Rodriguez, age 20, who was Jeremy’s girlfriend and mother of his child.  Reyna Rodriguez was also wanted on various drug related charges.  After multiple knocks and calling in to the residence but receiving no response, the door of the residence was breached.  Jeremy Lopez was located inside the residence, alone with his child, and taken into custody without incident.  While Will County Sheriff’s Office personnel were still on scene, Reyna Rodriguez returned to her residence, and was subsequently taken into custody for her outstanding warrants.  Members of the Will County Sheriff’s Office were able to arrange to have the minor child taken into custody by a family member of Jeremy’s.  

In addition, members of the Will County Sheriff’s Office set up surveillance at a residence located in the 500 block of Parkview Lane in unincorporated Lockport Township, and maintained consistent physical surveillance of Thomas Lopez’s apartment for approximately eight (8) hours.  This apartment had no direct ties to Lopez, but it was believed to be rented by his mother.  During the early afternoon hours, Thomas Lopez exited the apartment building and approached a vehicle owned by his father.  Members of the Will County Sheriff’s Office approached Thomas Lopez and he was taken into custody without incident.

Both Thomas and Jeremy Lopez were turned over to detectives with the Will County Sheriff’s Police for questioning.  In addition, members of the Will County Sheriff’s Office were also able to secure items of evidentiary value during the course of these arrests, which were turned over to detectives for processing.  As a result of being questioned, detectives were able to obtain additional information from the suspects in order to bring formal charges against Joskar Ramos, Jeremy Lopez, and Thomas Lopez.    

Sheriff Mike Kelley had this to say about the investigation.  “This was a true team effort by everyone at the Will County Sheriff’s Office that helped play a part in this investigation.  This tragic incident could not have been solved without the help of the public, so I want to thank those that came forward with information.  Every member within the Criminal Investigations Division at the Will County Sheriff’s Office have worked tirelessly for months, in conjunction with the State’s Attorney’s Office to help bring these thugs to justice.  Now that these criminals are behind bars, Will County is now safer than it was the day before.” 

Joskar Ramos is being charged with six (6) counts of First Degree Murder, Attempted First Degree Murder, five (5) counts of Aggravated Battery with a Firearm, Aggravated Discharge of a Firearm, and Aggravated Unlawful Use of a Weapon. 

Thomas Lopez is being charged with six (6) counts of First Degree Murder, Attempted First Degree Murder, five (5) counts of Aggravated Battery with a Firearm, Aggravated Discharge of a Firearm, and Aggravated Unlawful Use of a Weapon.

Jeremy Lopez is being charged with six (6) counts of First Degree Murder, Attempted First Degree Murder, five (5) counts of Aggravated Battery with a Firearm, Aggravated Discharge of a Firearm, and Aggravated Unlawful Use of a Weapon. 

The bond amount set by Judge Dave Carlson on all three offenders is $10,000,000-10% to apply.  Thomas and Jeremy Lopez were transported from the Will County Sheriff’s Office Public Safety Complex to the Will County Adult Detention Facility, and all three defendants are awaiting an initial court appearance.    

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This morning at approximately 4:30am, Will County Sheriff's deputies, along with other police agencies, were dispatched to assist New Lenox Police in an attempt to apprehend Alexander Wheeler, age 21. Deputies were advised that Wheeler had just been suspected of shooting his father in the face and battering his mother at their residence located at 1900 block of Grand Prairie Drive in New Lenox. Police were advised that Wheeler may be under the influence of drugs and was possibly in possession of a weapon. A description of his vehicle was given as a 2020 silver Honda Civic.

   At approximately 5am, a Sheriff's deputy located the vehicle in the area of Cedar Road and Laraway Road. While additional officers arrived, a traffic stop was attempted on Wheeler. Wheeler refused to stop and a pursuit was initiated. Wheeler eventually fled back to his subdivision and officers fanned out in an attempt to locate Wheeler. Wheeler's vehicle was then observed heading down Wind Crest Lane where he attempted to drive through a resident's backyard. A Sheriff's deputy was directly behind Wheeler. Wheeler then exited his vehicle. The Sheriff's deputy made several attempts to get Wheeler to comply but was unsuccessful. The deputy deployed his Tazer in an attempt to disable Wheeler but did not have the desired effect. Wheeler continued to disregard the officer’s commands, which led to the officer deploying his service weapon and shooting Wheeler. Aid was immediately rendered to Wheeler by police. He was transported to Silver Cross Hospital where he was pronounced deceased.

Wheeler's father was also transported to Silver Cross Hospital. He sustained serious injuries but was conscious at the scene. His current condition is unknown at this time.

The Will/Grundy Major Crimes Task Force will be investigating this incident. All future inquiries in this case should be directed to the Task Force Public Information Officer, Chief Ken Kroll of the Romeoville Police Department at kkroll@romeoville.org

On December 3, around 4:30pm, Will County Sheriff’s deputies made a traffic stop on a GMC Acadia on I-80 near the Houbolt Road exit.  Deputies spoke with the driver, Carlos J. Rosado, age 48, of Downey, CA.  While speaking to him deputies began to suspect that Rosado was involved in criminal activity.  A consensual search of the vehicle was performed along with a positive indication of narcotics from K9 Malice.  Located in a false compartment within the vehicle was 13 bundles of methamphetamine totaling 8,587grams, 2 containers of fentanyl pills totaling 1,950 grams, 8 bundles of cocaine totaling 8,800 grams, and multiple cell phones. 

 Sheriff’s deputies questioned Rosado who requested council.  He was placed under arrest and charged with improper turn, obstructed front windshield, false/secret compartment in vehicle, manufacture/delivery of fentanyl over 900 grams, possession of fentanyl over 900 grams, manufacture/delivery of methamphetamine over 900 grams, possession of methamphetamine over 900 grams, possession of cocaine over 900 grams, and manufacture/delivery of cocaine over 900 grams. 

Carlos Javier Rosado appeared in court where his bond was set for $1 million (10% to apply). 

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