A former Waukegan police officer awaiting trial on a murder charge has been sentenced to 60 days in jail for punching a man in a separate, unrelated incident.
Dante Salinas was also sentenced to 24 months of probation, fines and 100 hours of community service after being convicted of official misconduct in the 2019 incident. Salinas is awaiting trial in the 2020 killing of Marcellis Stinnette.
In the 2019 case, Salinas was on patrol when he stopped at a Waukegan residence where a Baptism party was underway.
Salinas tried to detain one of the attendees in what authorities say was an improper arrest. Salinas punched the man several times, breaking the orbital bone, according to reports.
“Police officers take an oath to protect the community. This former officer betrayed the trust placed in him by the people he was sworn to protect,” State’s Attorney Eric Rinehart said. “Instead of upholding that duty, Salinas chose to abuse his authority in an attempt to win an argument with a civilian who posed a threat to no one.”
In the 2020 case, Salinas is accused of shooting Stinnette, who was a passenger in a car driven by his girlfriend, during a police pursuit.
Insanity defense
A Highland Park man charged in the killing of his elderly parents has been found not guilty by reason of insanity, according to Lake County court records.
Barry Goldberg, 48, lacked the mental capacity to appreciate his actions in the deaths of Ronald, 79, and Renee Goldberg, 74, Lake County Judge George Strickland ruled.
Police responded to their apartment in the 1800 block of Green Bay Road on Sept. 7, 2022, and broke into the unit when they saw what appeared to be blood on the floor. Inside, they found the Goldbergs, whose sharp-force injuries had killed. Barry Goldberg was also inside and was taken into custody.
Strickland ruled that Goldberg’s defense, which included testimony from a psychologist, presented clear and convincing evidence that the defendant suffered from mental illness and, “lacked the capacity to appreciate the criminality of his conduct.”
People in Illinois who are deemed not guilty by reason of insanity are confined to a mental hospital for a period not to exceed the maximum prison sentence had they been convicted of their charged crime. They can also petition the court to be released, if they can prove to the court’s satisfaction that they have been restored to mental fitness.
911 transfer
Antioch police will soon transfer the village’s 911 service to the LakeCom911 service center, a consolidated service that serves numerous Lake County communities.
Residents should not notice any changes to service or disruptions.
“This transition enhances how emergency calls are received and dispatched by reducing call transfers, improving information sharing, and strengthening coordination among police, fire, and emergency medical services,” the village said. “It ensures that Antioch residents continue to receive the highest level of service, reliability, and efficiency when calling for help.”