JOLIET MAN GETS 45 YEARS FOR MURDER

WHEATON - DuPage County State’s Attorney Joe Birkett announced that Robert Meza, 22 (d.o.b. 07/27/1987), of Joliet, has been sentenced to forty-five years in the Illinois Department of Corrections for his role in the shooting death of Lorenzo Salazar-Cortez of Addison.  On July 9, 2009, Meza was found guilty of six counts of Murder in front of Judge George Bakalis. 

Today’s sentencing stems from allegations that on September 15, at approximately 5 a.m., Meza and an acquaintance of his, Antonio Aguilar, 19 (d.o.b. 10/27/1989) of Addison, went to an Addison apartment located on Dale Street, where Cortez was visiting friends.  It is alleged the men opened fire from outside the building and, through a window, struck Cortez four times.  Meza then drove himself and Aguilar from the crime scene.  An investigation by the Addison Police Department led to the apprehension of both Aguilar and Meza. 

“For his part in the senseless murder of Lorenzo Salazar-Cortez, Mr. Meza will spend the next forty five years of his life behind bars,” commented Birkett.  “This murder is yet another example of how gang violence once again has claimed the life of an innocent man,” remarked Birkett.  “Young people have got to realize that gang activity is not worth risking your life or your freedom.”

Antonio Aguilar is currently being held in the DuPage County Jail on a $1 million bail with 10% to apply.  His next court appearance is scheduled for September 2, 2009.

Members of the public are reminded that these complaints contain only charges and are 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.

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