Illinois quick hits: Man convicted of drug money laundering; human trafficking arrests made

Illinois quick hits: Man convicted of drug money laundering; human trafficking arrests made

Spread the love

Man convicted of drug money laundering

A federal jury in Chicago has convicted a man of laundering cash proceeds from a Mexico-based drug-trafficking organization.

Prosecutors say David Berger, 41, of Chicago and other intermediaries booked and paid for privately-chartered jets for the organization to transport millions of dollars in drug proceeds into Mexico, after the organization transported wholesale quantities of cocaine from Mexico to sell in the U.S.

Berger’s sentencing is set for May 12, 2026.

Human trafficking arrests made

The Illinois State Police trafficking enforcement group has announced the arrest of two Decatur men and one Chicago man in separate cases of alleged human trafficking.

ISP arrested Bryan M. Slater, 36, and Jacob D. Miller, 31, both of Decatur, in Sangamon County for the alleged abuse, sexual assault and forced prostitution of a woman.

John O’Leary, 41, of Chicago was arrested in Knox County for promoting sexual exploitation of a child, indecent solicitation, traveling to meet a minor, possession of methamphetamine and grooming.

New troopers assigned

Illinois State Police have assigned 21 new troopers to locations around the state.

A graduation ceremony was held Friday for a lateral-entry academy class in which officers with least two years of full-time experience completed an eleven-week ISP program.

The program included training in cultural diversity, procedural justice, de-escalation tactics and more.

New troopers earn approximately $90,000 in compensation upon graduation from the Illinois State Police Academy.

Leave a Comment





Latest News Stories

Murder Suspect

Suspect Captured in Execution-Style Murder of Momence Bar Owner

Article Summary: Authorities have arrested a 47-year-old Indiana man in connection with the fatal shooting of Courtney Drysdale, the owner of a bar in rural Momence. The suspect was apprehended...
Jackson Township Graphic.1 NEW

Jackson Township Board Approves Tax Levies Amid Rising Property Values

Jackson Township Board Meeting | December 10, 2025 Article Summary: The Jackson Township Board unanimously approved tax levy ordinances for both the Town and Road Districts during their December meeting....
First lady meets with former Oct. 7 hostages

First lady meets with former Oct. 7 hostages

By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square American citizen and Chapel Hill, N.C. native, Keith Siegel and his wife Aviva focused their meeting with First Lady Melania Trump on hope and a...
Supreme Court declines challenge to California's congressional map

Supreme Court declines challenge to California’s congressional map

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear a challenge to California's redistricting bid that would add more Democrat-majority districts in the state. In November, California...

Candidate: $243 million in unlawful spending is example of ‘Preckwinkle’s mismanagement’

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A candidate for Cook County board president says county spending of $243 million in violation of Illinois’...
GOP lawmakers urge Thune to tweak filibuster rules to pass voter ID bill

GOP lawmakers urge Thune to tweak filibuster rules to pass voter ID bill

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square Dozens of Republicans are demanding that the U.S. Senate take up House-passed legislation implementing election security reforms – and they’re willing to restructure filibuster rules...
Illinois housing crunch sees prices rising, units dwindling

Illinois housing crunch sees prices rising, units dwindling

By Glenn Minnis | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – With Illinois facing a housing shortage fueled by dwindling availability and rising prices, Illinois Policy Institute...
700 federal agents to leave Minnesota, Homan says

700 federal agents to leave Minnesota, Homan says

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The Trump administration will remove 700 federal agents who are assisting immigration enforcement measures in Minnesota, White House Border Czar Tom Homan said Wednesday. Homan...
New York, New Jersey sue feds over Hudson Tunnel funding cuts

New York, New Jersey sue feds over Hudson Tunnel funding cuts

By Christen SmithThe Center Square New York and New Jersey are taking the Trump administration to court over its move to "illegally" claw back $15 billion in federal funding for...
Parents sound alarm over Illinois high school voter registration bill

Parents sound alarm over Illinois high school voter registration bill

By Catrina BarkerThe Center Square A proposal backed by Illinois Democrats to expand voter registration opportunities for high school students is raising concerns among some parents and education advocates, who...
Illinois Quick Hits: Violent Crime down, arrest rates up in Chicago

Illinois Quick Hits: Violent Crime down, arrest rates up in Chicago

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – New research from the Illinois Policy Institute shows that violent crime declined in nearly 90% of Chicago’s...
Judicial manual pushes climate agenda, critics say

Judicial manual pushes climate agenda, critics say

By Emily Rodriguez and Andrew RiceThe Center Square The Federal Judicial Center, the judiciary’s research and education branch, provided a manual for judges based on policies preferential to climate activists,...
Meeting Briefs

Meeting Summary and Briefs: Will County Planning and Zoning Commission for Jan. 20, 2026

Will County P&Z Commission Meeting | Jan. 20, 2026 The Will County Planning and Zoning Commission met on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, to adjudicate a series of zoning variances and...
Jail Fight

Three Charged After Pitcher Attack Sparks Fight at Will County Jail

Article Summary: A fight involving six inmates broke out at the Will County Adult Detention Facility on Sunday afternoon, requiring intervention by the Emergency Response Team. Authorities have charged three...
Palatine teacher fired over anti-BLM posts turns to SCOTUS

Palatine teacher fired over anti-BLM posts turns to SCOTUS

By Jonathan Bilyk | Legal NewslineThe Center Square A former Palatine High School teacher who was fired for posting anti-Black Lives Matter content to her personal Facebook page has asked...