Charges Dismissed Against Former Joliet Sergeant

A Kendall County judge has dismissed all felony charges against retired Joliet Police Sergeant Javier Esqueda, who faced accusations of official misconduct for leaking a video depicting the fatal drug overdose of Eric Lurry Jr. in police custody. The decision to drop the case came just before a scheduled bench trial and followed a reevaluation by the State's Attorney's Office, citing an inability to meet the burden of proof and a recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling that affected the prosecution's case. Esqueda, who has been embroiled in this legal battle since October 2020, expressed relief but also highlighted the lasting damage to his reputation and career stemming from the allegations. The leaked video sparked protests and a federal lawsuit from Lurry's widow against the city of Joliet, prompting an investigation into police practices. State's Attorney Eric Weis indicated that new evidence contributed to the case's dismissal, although specifics about this evidence were not disclosed. Esqueda's attorney argued that the charges should never have been filed, reflecting broader concerns about the conduct of the Joliet Police Department.