By Willow Moss | Moss and Ink | First published September 22, 2026
Case Status
- Current status: Indicted; awaiting jury trial; free on GPS-monitored pretrial release
- Next court date: Additional hearing, October 23, 2026; final pretrial, November 25, 2026; jury trial, November 30, 2026
- Charges: Burglary — Class 2 felony, 720 ILCS 5/19-1(a)
- Custody status: Released on GPS electronic monitoring; no bond set
- Case number: 2026CF000325
- Court: LaSalle County Circuit Court
- Prosecution: Assistant State’s Attorneys Kelley Porter and Ryan J. Cantlin
- Defense: Public Defender Ryan Hamer
- Presiding judge: H. Chris Ryan Jr.
- Last updated: September 22, 2026
Incident Summary
Dakota Sergeant, 18, was charged with burglary, a Class 2 felony, in connection with an alleged incident on June 30, 2026. The charge was formally filed July 27, 2026 — the same day Sergeant was taken into custody following a multi-day manhunt after a high-speed chase through southern LaSalle County. Authorities have said the pending burglary matter is what led Sergeant, a passenger in the fleeing vehicle, to run on foot when the vehicle was disabled by police stop sticks. Read the full account of the chase and manhunt in Two Young Men Captured After Multi-Day Manhunt Following High-Speed Chase Near Streator.
Arrest & Charges
- Charge filed July 27, 2026, via Information; no bond set
- Sergeant made his first appearance in custody on July 27, 2026, was advised of the charge and possible penalties, and was ordered onto GPS electronic monitoring pending trial
- A grand jury indicted him on the charge August 11, 2026
Case Timeline & Proceedings
August 14, 2026 — Arraignment
Sergeant entered a plea of not guilty before Judge H. Chris Ryan Jr. and was appointed Public Defender Ryan Hamer.
October 23 – November 30, 2026 — Upcoming Proceedings
An additional court hearing is set for October 23, followed by a final pretrial hearing November 25 and jury trial scheduled to begin November 30, 2026.
How to Follow This Case
- LaSalle County Circuit Court case number: 2026CF000325, searchable via the LaSalle County Circuit Clerk online docket or public access terminal (www.lasallecountyil.gov/circuit-clerk).
- Jury trial currently scheduled to begin November 30, 2026.
This is a developing story and will be updated as new information becomes available. All information is sourced from publicly available court filings and official case records. Individuals charged with crimes are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
—Willow Moss