DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin and Naperville Chief of Police Jason Arres announced today that Judge Demetrios Panoushis granted the State’s motion to deny pre-trial release for two men, in unrelated incidents, who were both allegedly found to be in possession of a loaded gun at a Naperville recreation facility. Dijon Lane, 34, (d.o.b. 4/1/90) of the 2900 block of 140th Place, Blue Island, appeared in First Appearance Court Saturday charged with one count of Armed Habitual Criminal (Class X Felony), one count of Unlawful Use of a Weapon by a Felon (Class 3 Felony) and one count of Misdemeanor Unlawful Possession of Cannabis by a Driver. Tavell Jackson, 44 (d.o.b. 3/26/1980) of the 300 Block of 7th Avenue, Maywood, appeared in First Appearance Court Sunday charged with one count of Armed Habitual Criminal (Class X Felony), one count of Unlawful Use of a Weapon by a Felon (Class 3 Felony) and one count of Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance (Class 4 Felony).
On March 29, 2024, at approximately 6:30 p.m., Naperville police officers on patrol at Topgolf on Odyssey Court, observed an odor of cannabis coming from a vehicle. As officers surveilled the vehicle, they observed a man, later identified as Lane, enter the driver’s seat of the vehicle. Officers approached the vehicle, spoke with Lane and asked him to exit the vehicle. It is alleged that as Lane exited the vehicle, officers observed in plain view a gun, later determined to be a loaded Taurus .40 caliber PT740 with eight rounds in the magazine, tucked inside an opening near the gas pedal. Lane was taken into custody at this time. On March 30, 2024, at approximately 10:05 p.m., officers again on routine patrol at Topgolf allegedly observed a handgun, later determined to be a loaded Taurus 9mm Millenium G2 with twelve rounds in the magazine, in plain view in the netting pocket on the back of the front passenger seat of a vehicle. As officers surveilled the vehicle, they observed a man, later identified as Jackson, enter the rear passenger seat of the vehicle. Officers pinned in the vehicle with their cars and ordered Jackson out of the vehicle. Jackson was taken into custody at this time. It is further alleged that when police took Jackson into custody, officers found 12.4 grams of crack cocaine in his jacket.
“Public safety remains the top priority of my office,” Berlin said. “As convicted felons, both of these men have forfeited their right to legally possess a firearm. What I find particularly troubling are the allegations that both men brought a loaded firearm to a family friendly recreation facility. This type of behavior is inexcusable and will be fully prosecuted. I commend the Naperville Police Department for their continued commitment to public safety and for their proactive efforts in these two cases that resulted in the removal of dangerous weapons from our streets. I also thank Assistant State’s Attorneys Michael Pingaj, Michael Paup and Philip Ungar for their work in securing charges against Mr. Lane and Mr. Jackson.”
“Our proactive policing efforts continue to result in illegally possessed guns being taken off our streets. This is a critical part of our obligation to safeguard our community, and we’ll continue to engage in our proactive efforts throughout the city,” Chief Arres said. “I commend my staff for their commitment to making our community safer and DuPage County State’s Attorney Bob Berlin and his office for their support in this matter.”
Lane’s next court appearance is scheduled for April 22, 2024, for arraignment in front of Judge Margaret O’Connell. Jackson’s next court appearance is scheduled for April 29, 2024, 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 defendants’ guilt. The defendants are presumed innocent and are entitled to a fair trial in which it is the government’s burden to prove their guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
