Illinois

‘Most Wanted’ fugitive arrested in Mexico in Illinois attorney’s 2016 strangling death

Published

2 months ago

October 24, 2024

‘Most Wanted’ fugitive arrested in Mexico in Illinois attorney’s 2016 strangling death

John Panaligan, 57, was arrested Monday in Tepic, Mexico, ending a nearly eight-year manhunt after attorney Victor Patel was strangled in his office. Patel was representing clients suing Panaligan.

Police in Mexico have arrested a man in connection with the strangling death of an Illinois attorney in 2016, U.S. officials announced Wednesday.

John Panaligan, 57, was arrested Monday in Tepic, Mexico, ending a nearly eight-year manhunt, the U.S. Marshals Service said in a news release.

Panaligan, who made the 15 Most Wanted fugitives list in 2020, was deported back to the U.S. on Tuesday, the service confirmed.

Panaligan is accused of killing attorney Victor Jigar Patel, 36, in his Northbrook, Illinois, office on Dec. 7, 2016. At the time Patel was representing clients who were suing Panaligan in civil court, according to the news release.

“I hope this arrest brings some measure of comfort to the Patel family and serves as a stark reminder to fugitives from justice that there is no place to hide,” Marshals Service Director Ronald Davis said in a statement.

USA TODAY was unable to reach an attorney for Panaligan for comment.

Panaligan allegedly scheduled appointment to lure Patel

The Marshals Service allege that Panaligan scheduled an appointment under an alias to make an appointment with Patel at his law office.

Security cameras captured Panaligan wearing a disguise upon arrival before allegedly killing the attorney in his office, the Marshals Service says. Evidence collected by authorities led to him being the lead suspect in the murder investigation, according to U.S. Marshall Service.

Authorities detained Panaligan at the Canadian border two days later for allegedly attempting to smuggle a firearm into Canada. However, he was allowed to return to the U.S. so the Northbrook Police Department could interview him in the investigation into Patel’s death.

On Feb. 8, 2017, a warrant for Panaligan’s arrest was filed so he could be charged for first-degree murder but he presumably fled to Mexico before he authorities could find him.

On Nov. 23, 2020, the U.S. Marshals Service placed him on its 15 Most Wanted, offering a reward of up to $25,000 for information that led to his capture, according to the service. Speculation into Panaligan’s whereabouts were complicated due to his dual citizenship between the U.S. and the Republic of the Philippines.

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Illinois

‘It’s a blessing’: Springfield Christmas dinner serves nearly 600

Published

3 hours ago

December 25, 2024

Press Room

‘It’s a blessing’: Springfield Christmas dinner serves nearly 600

SPRINGFIELD — Edwin DeJesus was showing his holiday spirit on his sleeve, and his pants, as he and his mom tucked into a roast beef dinner at the High School of Commerce Christmas Day.

“It is a blessing,” DeJesus said, wearing a green shirt showing Snoopy’s doghouse decorated with Christmas lights, green Dr. Seuss’ Grinch pants and a bright red hat.

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Illinois

Illinois state trooper mourned after being struck, killed by car on I-55

Published

12 hours ago

December 25, 2024

Press Room

Illinois state trooper mourned after being struck, killed by car on I-55 – CBS Chicago

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Trooper Clay Carns served 11 years with ISP and was a husband and a father to two young kids. Jermont Terry reports.

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Illinois

Illinois will be fourth school for Tomiwa Durojaiye

Published

20 hours ago

December 24, 2024

Press Room

Illinois will be fourth school for Tomiwa Durojaiye

Tomiwa Durojaiye was a three-star recruiting win for Kentucky in the 2022 high school cycle. The Delaware native picked the Wildcats over South Carolina after recording 58 tackles, 25.5 tackles for loss, 10 sacks, and two forced fumbles as a senior. The senior defensive lineman would spend just one season in Lexington.

Duojiaye entered the transfer portal in the spring window ahead of the 2023 season. Durojaiye landed at West Virginia and had a strong year as a redshirt freshman. The defensive lineman recorded 23 tackles, six tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, 14 pressures, and played 270 snaps. Despite the strong close to see playing for a 9-4 team, Durojaiye decided to enter the portal again.

Tomiwa Durojaiye landed at Florida State and only played 32 snaps this season. Durojaiye then became a three-time transfer when he entered the transfer portal on Dec. 9. The defensive lineman found another power conference home on Tuesday.

The defensive lineman has committed to Illinois and will play in a fourth power conference in 2025 after spending time in the SEC, Big 12, and ACC.

Alex Afari Jr. and Josh Kattus are the only signees from Kentucky’s 2022 high school class remaining on the roster.

The transfer portal is open for business and so far we know of 20 players who will be seeking out greener pastures this offseason.

DL Keeshawn Silver (Committed to USC on Dec. 19)
DB Avery Stuart
LB Jayvant Brown
TE Tanner Lemaster (Committed to Eastern Michigan on Dec. 22)
TE Khamari Anderson (Committed to Arizona State on Dec. 22)
TE Jordan Dingle (Committed to South Carolina on Dec. 18)
OL Courtland Ford (Committed to UCLA on Dec. 17)
OL Ben Christman
OL Dylan Ray (Committed to Minnesota on Dec. 21)
OL Koby Keenum (Committed to Mississippi State on Dec. 22)
DL Tommy Ziesmer (Committed to EKU on Dec. 15)
WR Dane Key
WR Barion Brown (Committed to LSU on Dec. 14)
WR Anthony Brown-Stephens
WR Brandon White
EDGE Tyreese Fearbry (Committed to Wisconsin on Dec. 22)
EDGE Noah Matthews
EDGE Caleb Redd (Committed to Kansas on Dec. 20)
RB Chip Trayanum
QB Gavin Wimsatt

To keep up with the latest players on the move, check out On3’s Transfer Portal wire. Keep closer tabs on the Cats with our staff-only sticky thread on KSBoard, which will have updates on departures and targets throughout the offseason. Not a KSR+ member? Try it out today.

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