WCSO Press Releases

This afternoon, the Will County Sheriff’s Office was contacted by Naperville Police who advised that a couple who reside at a residence on the 10000 block of Helene Avenue in Naperville had come into the police department to report that they had been battered by their son, Erik Molter, age 47.   The couple stated that their son suffered from mental health issues and they believed he was suicidal.  Naperville PD called the Sheriff’s Office for service in Will County jurisdiction.

 Initial reports indicate that Molter and his mother were arguing when he began to get physical with her.  Molter’s father then intervened and was then battered and tied up by his son. During the altercation, the parents were able to escape and went to the Naperville Police Department. The couple stated that there were weapons inside the home.   The husband was transported to Edwards Hospital with bruising and a cut to his lip.  The wife remained with police and suffered some bruising. 

Upon arrival at the residence, Sheriff’s deputies set up a perimeter of the area.  As attempts of making contact with Molter were beginning, a deputy observed Multer walking towards him outside.  Molter immediately complied with deputy’s orders to get on the ground and he was taken into custody without incident.  Molter stated to deputies that after the incident with his parents he went outside and was hiding in the back of the residence near a pond.    

 Erik Molter, age 47, is charged with aggravated battery, unlawful restraint, and domestic battery.  He will be held at the Adult Detention Facility and will appear in bond court tomorrow.

Mugshot will be available later this evening on the Sheriff's Booking Site or Facebook page.

  –end-

Last night, (11/8/2018) around 7pm Will County Sheriff's deputies were called to a residence in the 7000 block of W. Roeland Court, Frankfort Township, in reference to a domestic situation.  Upon arrival deputies spoke with the victim (age 55) who, prior to deputies arrival, had relocated to a neighbors residence.  The victim stated that her husband, Stanley W. Green (age 54) was inside their residence, was very angry, and had sprayed her in the face with pepper spray.  She advised that he suffered from mental health issues and had not been taking his medication. The victim was transported to St. James Olympia Fields Hospital by Frankfort Fire personnel.  She was treated and released. 

Deputies then attempted to make contact with Green and observed him inside the residence wielding a two-foot long machete style knife.  Green was ordered multiple times to open the door but refused.  Frankfort Police, Mokena Police, and the Will County SWAT Team were mobilized and secured a perimeter of the residence.  Additional officers advised area residents to go to a safe area within their residences or to evacuate. 

At 8:15pm, a SWAT Negotiator began contact with Green and around 10pm Green voluntarily surrendered without incident.  Green was taken into custody and was transported to the Will County Adult Detention Facility.  He was charged with domestic battery.   The Will County State's Attorney's Office is reviewing this case in order to determine whether further charges will be added.

No one else at the scene was injured.  Handguns and other knives were found inside the home.  Green will appear in bond court today.    -end-

Sheriff Mike Kelley would like to announce the recent arrests of Elijah J. Watson (Male, Black, age 23) of 28 NW Circle Drive in Joliet and Anthony Francimore (Male, White, age 20) of 2706 Dougall Road in Joliet,  in connection to a Murder Investigation.

On 10/28/2018, at approximately 1:00 AM, members of the Will County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to the 500 Block of Fox Street in unincorporated Joliet Township in reference to a shooting.  Upon arrival, deputies observed a male individual lying face down in the roadway motionless, surrounded by unknown individuals. 

As deputies were securing the scene, East Joliet Fire Department arrived and began attempting life saving measures on the victim.  The victim, Nathan J. Ballard, (age 20) was transported to Silver Cross Hospital and was later pronounced deceased at the hospital. 

A witness on scene advised responding deputies that the offenders were driving a black Dodge Magnum with tinted windows, and it was occupied by several individuals. Detectives were called to the scene and were able to track down numerous leads from witnesses and evidence recovered from the scene.

Information was developed by detectives that the suspect vehicle and potential suspects had fled to the City of Chicago. Will County Sheriff’s Detectives met with members of the 10th District of the Chicago Police Department and Chicago’s Fugitive Warrants Unit in reference to this investigation.  Will County Detectives briefed members of the Chicago Police Department and a physical search of the area where the vehicle was believed to be located was conducted. 

At approximately 12:30 PM the Black Dodge Magnum used in this homicide was located in the area of 14^th and Karlov in the City of Chicago. With the assistance of the Chicago Police Department, surveillance was set up on the vehicle.  At approximately 1:45 PM, a subject was seen entering the vehicle, and the vehicle began to leave the area. 

A traffic stop was conducted by Will County Detectives and members of the Chicago Police Department, and two subjects were taken into custody at that time.  Elijah J. Watson and Anthony Francimore had previously been identified as suspects in this investigation, and both were taken into custody without incident as a result of the traffic stop.  Both the suspects and the vehicle were later transported to the Will County Sheriff’s Public Safety Complex for further questioning and processing.

Numerous search warrants were obtained and executed in reference to this investigation, and detectives were able to further the investigation by interviewing the offenders. Detectives would later learn that the suspects in this case intended on robbing the victim, Nathan Ballard, and upon doing so and while driving away from the victim, several shots were fired in the vicinity of Ballard by Elijah Watson.  Ballard suffered a single gunshot wound to the upper chest, from what appears to be from a semi-automatic 9 mm handgun. 

Elijah J. Watson was charged with four (4) counts of First Degree Murder, one (1) count of Armed Robbery, and one (1) count of Unlawful Use of a Weapon by a Felon. 

Anthony Francimore was charged with one (1) count of First Degree Murder and one (1) count of Armed Robbery.

The bond amount set for both offenders is $5,000,000-10% to apply.

Sheriff Mike Kelley would like to personally thank all the members of the Investigations Division for their commitment, dedication, and thoroughness in completing this investigation in such a timely manner. Sheriff Kelley would also like to thank the men and women of the Chicago Police Department in the 10^th District in providing assistance with this case.

This is still an active investigation, and additional information will be provided in this case when appropriate.

Will County Sheriff Mike Kelley is announcing the arrest of Kevin Waddell, age 42, and Steven Johnson, age 62. 

Last night around 8:30pm, two members of our Gang Suppression Unit were shot while executing a search warrant for narcotics at 209 Richards Street in Joliet.  Deputies announced office and then struck the rear door with a battering ram.  It was at that time that four gunshots were discharged from a Taurus Judge handgun from the inside of the residence through the rear door.

One of the bullets struck a Sergeant of the Gang Suppression Unit, who has been with the Sheriff’s Office for 15 years.  The bullet struck his ballistic vest on the right upper side of his chest.  A second bullet grazed the left arm of an 11-year deputy of the Sheriff’s Office, who is also a member of our Gang Suppression Unit.  Both deputies were transported to Silver Cross Hospital in Joliet.  They were treated and released.

Two suspects were taken into custody, by members of the Joliet Police TAC Unit, as the suspects ran out the front door of the residence.   Three weapons were recovered as well as 10 grams of crack cocaine.  

Sheriff Kelley stated, “I want to personally thank the Gang Suppression Unit for the fine work that they do.  These guys have my utmost respect and admiration.  This group puts themselves in tremendous jeopardy every day.  They have served over 1,200 warrants without incident until last night. This incident demonstrates how, in a second, things can go from a routine day to potentially a life-threatening incident.

“I cannot adequately express how grateful I am that these two men are going to be ok.  They both are extremely lucky. Both gunshots were within an inch from being extremely serious or even fatal.  The Sheriff’s Office, command staff, and all the employees of the department stand behind these two deputies and extend our full support.”

We would also like to thank the Joliet Police Department TAC Unit, the Will County Cooperative Assistance Team and Joliet MANS Narcotics Team for their assistance.  The brotherhood we share is a testament to everyone’s commitment in protecting the citizens of this county.

Charges are as follows:

Kevin Waddell – Attempted First Degree Murder (2 counts); Aggravated Battery (4 counts); Armed Violence (3 counts); Unlawful Possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver (1 count); Unlawful use of weapon by a felon (5 counts)

Steven Johnson – Unlawful Use of Weapon by Felon (5 counts)

Both subjects appeared in bond court this afternoon.  Bond has been set for $20M each, 10% to apply. 

**Video statement from Sheriff Mike Kelley attached:  Download here -

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1CZWbyXj319PKvJk5hrYclFDBoyebMbnp/view?usp=sharing

**Mugshots and photos attached

-END-

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This morning Sheriff's deputies were called to a residence regarding four elementary age girls who reported to their parents that while walking to Creekside Elementary School a man driving a red vehicle stopped and asked them if they wanted a ride.  Sheriff's detectives arrived on the scene and spoke with the girls and their parents.  The girls stated that the incident occurred near Lakewood Falls Drive and Isle Royal Circle, Plainfield Township.  During extensive interviews, the girls were not able to provide any further details of the vehicle, nor any identifying information about the man.

During the course of today, investigators collected and viewed video surveillance in that area at the time of the alledged abduction.  At this time, nothing has been observed on the video that would corroborate the girls stories.  Other video surveillance in the surrounding areas has been collected and is under review.  Investigation is continuing.

Additional deputies have been assigned to the school area since the incident was reported.   Deputies will remain in the area for the next few hours.   Sheriff's deputies do not believe there is any threat to the public.   -END-

Will County Sheriff Mike Kelley is announcing the arrest and apprehension of Anthony Williams, Jr., age 20, of Joliet.  Joliet Police Department issued an arrest warrant for Williams on September 25, 2018 for failure to register as a sex offender.  During the course of the two-week search, surveillance was utilized and this morning he was located at an address not previously connected to Williams.

The Sheriff’s Office Warrant Division, along with the assistance of the U.S. Marshals Great Lakes Regional Task Force, picked up Williams at a Joliet residence where he was located in an attic.  Williams was taken into custody without incident and is being held at the Adult Detention Facility.

 Williams was convicted of criminal sexual abuse to a 16-year-old girl on January 19, 2017. 

 He also had an additional active warrant for his arrest for Domestic battery and criminal sexual abuse.

-end-