FIRST DEGREE MURDER CHARGES FILED IN BURR RIDGE HOMICIDE

WHEATON - DuPage County State’s Attorney Joe Birkett   and DuPage County Sheriff John Zaruba announced today that First Degree Murder charges have been filed against 45 year-old John Gilbert (d.o.b. 9/12/1963) of 4423 N. Parkside, Chicago in connection with the murder of thirty eight year-old Jason D. Dragos of Highland, Indiana.  On February 9, 2009, Dragos’ body was discovered by a fellow employee at SAIA Trucking, a Burr Ridge company where both he and Gilbert worked.

            It is alleged that sometime prior to Sunday, February 8, 2009, Gilbert had arranged to meet Dragos at the SAIA Trucking terminal that Sunday morning to prepare for a business meeting they were both to attend that day.  It is further alleged that once at the trucking terminal, Gilbert shot and killed Dragos.

            “I would like to thank the DuPage County Sheriff’s office particularly Detectives Dave Chiesa, Bob Harris, Tom Brown and Brian Mowrer for their outstanding investigation into the murder of Jason Dragos,” commented Birkett.  “This was a senseless crime.  Our thoughts and prayers go out to Jason Dragos’ surviving family.”

First Degree Murder carries a minimum sentence of 20-60 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC). 

Gilbert, who was arrested on March 7, is currently in custody at the DuPage County jail.  He appeared in Bond Court yesterday morning where Judge Peter Ostling ordered he be held without bond.  Gilbert’s next court appearance is scheduled for April 6 in front of Judge George Bakalis.