DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert B. Berlin and Naperville Chief of Police Jason Arres announced today that the State’s motion to deny bail for a Chicago man accused of illegally possessing a loaded firearm and approximately 17.4 grams of cocaine has been granted. Jerry Hill, 39 (d.o.b. 2/16/1983) of the 2100 block of W. Estes Avenue, appeared at a bond hearing this morning where Judge Margaret O’Connell granted the State’s motion to deny bail. In all, Hill has been charged with one count of Armed Habitual Criminal (Class X Felony), one count of Aggravated Unlawful Use of a Weapon – Prior Conviction (Class 2 Felony), one count of Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance (Class 4 Felony) and one count of Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor (Class 3 Felony).

On August 1, 2022, a Naperville police officer conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle for allegedly driving 40 mph in a 25-mph zone. Upon initial contact with the driver, later identified as Hill, the officer allegedly detected an odor of cannabis coming from the vehicle. After ordering Hill and another occupant, a juvenile, out of the vehicle, it is alleged that the officer located a loaded Smith and Wesson SD 40 VE pistol with one bullet in the chamber, approximately 17.4 grams of cocaine and bags of cannabis. Hill was taken into custody at this time.

“It is alleged that Mr. Hill, a convicted felon currently on parole for drug charges, was illegally in possession of a loaded handgun as well as more than seventeen grams of cocaine,” Berlin said. “This is the fourth time within one month that a DuPage County judge has denied bail for a defendant accused of serious crimes. The message coming from DuPage County is crystal clear, career criminals are not welcome and we will use every tool at our disposal to aggressively pursue and hold accountable anyone who would commit a crime while in DuPage County. I thank the Naperville Police Department for their outstanding work on this case that allegedly took a dangerous weapon out of the hands of a convicted felon. I also thank Assistant State’s Attorney Denis Cahill for his efforts in preparing a strong case against Mr. Hill.”

“I cannot commend our officers enough for the proactive policework they are doing every day, leading to arrests just like this one,” Arres said. “Traffic stops alone have led to the seizure of 71 illegally possessed firearms in Naperville in the first six months of this year. I can promise our residents and community members that the Naperville Police Department will continue to be diligent about taking illegal weapons off our streets, and I thank DuPage County State's Attorney Bob Berlin's office for their continued efforts to hold offenders accountable.”

Hill’s next court appearance is scheduled for August 26, 2022, for arraignment in front of Judge O’Connell.

Members of the public are reminded that this complaint contains only charges and is not proof of the defendant’s guilt. A defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial in which it is the government’s burden to prove his or her guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

About Naperville: Located 28 miles west of Chicago, Naperville, Ill., is home to approximately 145,000 people. This vibrant, thriving city consistently ranks as a top community in the nation in which to live, raise children and retire. The city is home to acclaimed public and parochial schools, the best public library system in the country, an array of healthcare options and an exceptionally low crime rate. Naperville has ready access to a variety of public transportation, housing and employment options. The city’s diversified employer base features high technology firms, retailers and factories, as well as small and home-based businesses. Residents also enjoy world-class parks, diverse worship options, the opportunity to serve on several City boards and commissions, a thriving downtown shopping and dining area, a renowned outdoor history museum known as Naper Settlement and an active civic community. For more information, please visit our website at www.naperville.il.us.