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

December 22, 2025/
Spread the love

By Jim Talamonti | The Center Square
The Center Square

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

Europe tried wealth taxes. Most gave up.

Europe tried wealth taxes. Most gave up.

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square Democratic senators are advancing a series of proposals to tax America's wealthiest households, with supporters projecting trillions in new federal revenue. Critics, however, argue the...
Europe tried wealth taxes. Most gave up.

Europe tried wealth taxes. Most gave up.

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square Democratic senators are advancing a series of proposals to tax America's wealthiest households, with supporters projecting trillions in new federal revenue. Critics, however, argue the...
Europe tried wealth taxes. Most gave up.

Europe tried wealth taxes. Most gave up.

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square Democratic senators are advancing a series of proposals to tax America's wealthiest households, with supporters projecting trillions in new federal revenue. Critics, however, argue the...
Will County Finance Logo

Aging Systems and Judicial Mandates Drive Significant FY2027 Budget Requests for Will County Courts and Sheriff

Will County Board Finance Committee Meeting | May 5, 2026 Article SummaryMultiple Will County justice and public safety departments detailed millions of dollars in operational and capital needs for FY2027,...
Will County P&Z Logo Planning Zoning

Meeting Summary and Briefs: Will County Planning and Zoning Commission for May 5, 2026

Will County Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting | May 5, 2026 The Will County Planning and Zoning Commission met on May 5, 2026, to deliberate on several high-impact infrastructure and...
Colorado governor shortens Tina Peters' sentence for election tampering

Colorado governor shortens Tina Peters’ sentence for election tampering

By Liam HibbertThe Center Square Colorado Gov. Jared Polis has shortened the prison sentence of former county clerk Tina Peters, convicted of election tampering related to the 2020 election. The...
No ruling; Florida judge hears arguments in redistricting litigation

No ruling; Florida judge hears arguments in redistricting litigation

By David BeasleyThe Center Square A Florida judge on Friday heard arguments on a lawsuit to block a new congressional redistricting plan in Florida that could give Republicans a four-seat...
Debate grows over bill on gender, abortion care access in child placement

Debate grows over bill on gender, abortion care access in child placement

By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A proposed law could allow child services to consider a child’s gender identity and access to abortion...
Lawsuit: D300 secretly gender transitioned student; Seeks to nix IL gender ‘guidance,’ too

Lawsuit: D300 secretly gender transitioned student; Seeks to nix IL gender ‘guidance,’ too

By Jonathan Bilyk | Legal NewslineThe Center Square A mother from Chicago's far northwest suburbs has lodged a lawsuit against her child's public school district, accusing Community Unit School District...
Lincoln Way Central Baseball Graphic

Providence Catholic Edges Lincoln-Way Central in Late-Inning Thriller

In a hard-fought non-conference battle on Thursday, the Lincoln-Way Central baseball team suffered a narrow 6-5 defeat against Providence Catholic. The game remained competitive throughout, with Lincoln-Way Central taking an...

WATCH: Family farm’s decade-long water war with Ecology waiting on WA Supreme Court

By Carleen JohnsonThe Center Square More than nine years after a legal battle began between a Grant County family farm and the Washington Department of Ecology, the two sides are...
Trump says tariffs never came up during China trip

Trump says tariffs never came up during China trip

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square President Donald Trump said Friday that tariffs never came up during his two-day trip to China, even as his administration works to replace a tariff...
IL biometric privacy suits say tech companies used broadcasters’ work to train AI

IL biometric privacy suits say tech companies used broadcasters’ work to train AI

By Jonathan Bilyk | Legal NewslineThe Center Square CHICAGO — Some of America's biggest tech companies have been hit with class action lawsuits under Illinois' stringent biometrics privacy law, accusing...
Illinois Quick Hits: Report shows 8% of Cook County offenders on electronic monitoring AWOL

Illinois Quick Hits: Report shows 8% of Cook County offenders on electronic monitoring AWOL

By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A report from a Cook County judge revealed that 8% of people participating in the electronic monitoring...
Fed funding of pediatrics group questioned over its gender ideology stance

Fed funding of pediatrics group questioned over its gender ideology stance

By Tate RosentreterThe Center Square Parental rights group the American Parents Coalition is urging Congress to review federal funding of the American Academy of Pediatrics, alleging that the organization prioritizes...