Yesterday afternoon, a jury found 31 year-old Darrin D. Reed
Jr. guilty of all charges stemming from a July 2017 Attempted Murder in rural
Aroma Park.  Reed, of unincorporated St. Anne, has remained incarcerated
since his arrest on July 13, 2017, the day of the attack.  In the early
morning hours of that day, deputies were dispatched the Waldron Arboretum (2755
Waldron Road, Kankakee, IL) in regards to a severely battered female that was
lying in a ditch.

Shortly after investigators located evidence pinning Reed to
the brutal attack, officers were able to locate him and, subsequently, take him
into custody. 

“The details of this case are among some of the most heinous
and atrocious imaginable,” said Sheriff Mike Downey.  “I sincerely applaud
the incredible work and extra efforts set forth by the deputies and
investigators involved, as well as the Kankakee County State’s Attorney’s
Office for the thorough prosecution efforts, for ensuring that this dangerous
individual be removed from our community.”

“The excellent work of law enforcement and the tenacity of
prosecutors Carol Costello and Brenda Claudio all contributed to this
conviction,” explained Kankakee County State’s Attorney Jim Rowe.  “Our
community is safer for everyone with this violent predator behind bars. 
With this verdict, we should all be proud of our local law enforcement and
criminal justice system.  I ask that the community keep the victim in
their prayers so that she can begin to heal as a survivor.”

Reed, a registered sexual offender, was found guilty of
Attempted Murder, Robbery and two counts of Aggravated Battery Causing Great
Bodily Harm.  He remains incarcerated at the Jerome Combs Detention Center
where he awaits his sentencing hearing, which is set for March 13^th
in front of the Honorable Judge Kathy Elliot.