As a result of a death which occurred in the Lake County Jail, the Lake County Sheriff’s Office contacted the Lake County Major Crime Task Force to begin an immediate investigation, per protocol.

On June 15, 2016, Jonathan Velazquez, 34, of the 0-100 block of Sandhurst Road, Mundelein, was transferred to the custody of the Lake County Jail on an arrest warrant for a criminal sexual assault charge, which occurred in Mundelein.

On June 30, 2016, Velazquez was also charged by the Lake County Sheriff’s Gang Task Force with Solicitation of Murder for Hire and Solicitation for Murder.

Velazquez was moved to the jail medical unit on July 1, 2016, due to being the defendant in a high-profile case, which is standard procedure to keep high-profile offenders out of general jail population. On July 13, 2016, at approximately 12:54 PM, Velazquez, was found unresponsive, alone, in his cell, with a fabric-type strap wrapped around his neck. Preliminary indication is the strap was used to secure a television to an elevated television stand.

Lake County Corrections Officers and jail medical staff immediately began life-saving measures, including CPR and used an Automated External Defibrillator (AED). The life-saving measures were unsuccessful and Velazquez was pronounced deceased following the arrival of paramedics.

As per protocol, the Lake County Major Crime Task Force responded and is conducting an immediate and independent investigation.