Aurora man pleads guilty in 2015 shooting death of teen
An Aurora man pleaded guilty Thursday to shooting and killing a 19-year-old in November 2015 over a small amount of marijuana.
Leon D. Williams, 23, of the 2400 block of North Farnsworth Avenue, had been held at the Kane County jail on charges of first-degree murder and other felonies in the death of Daniel Sanchez.
Williams pleaded guilty to the murder charge, which carries a prison term ranging from 20 to 60 years. Williams also admitted to personally firing the gun that killed Sanchez, which brings a mandatory sentencing increase of 25 years to natural life in prison.
Kane County Judge D.J. Tegeler will sentence Williams on May 24.
"Drugs pose a serious threat to the community's safety. Leon Williams killed Daniel Sanchez over a small amount of marijuana. Violent crimes deserve severe punishment, and although this conviction will spare Daniel Sanchez's family of a trial, the pain they will live with because of the loss of their young family member will never go away," Kane County State's Attorney Joe McMahon said. "Guns and drugs never mix, and unfortunately this outcome is one we have seen way too often. These are two young men who both lost their lives as a result of the violence associated with the drug trade."
According to prosecutors, Sanchez agreed to sell a small amount of marijuana to Williams and another man on Nov. 7, 2015. The three met about noon at an agreed-upon location. Sanchez got into the back seat of a car driven by the co-defendant, Keyonn S. Lovelace, 21.
Williams also was in the back seat and they drove to the 600 block of Elmwood Drive to complete the deal. While in the car, Williams tried to rob Sanchez of his money and the drugs, prosecutors said.
Sanchez got out and tried to run away, but Williams gave chase him and fired two shots from a .25-caliber handgun, hitting Sanchez in the leg and head, prosecutors said.
Williams and Lovelace drove off, and police found Sanchez on the ground bleeding. He later died at Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital in Downers Grove, authorities said.
Williams' bail was revoked after his guilty plea. Lovelace, of the 400 block of North Union Street, Aurora, also is charged with first-degree murder and is being held at the Kane County jail on $575,000. bail. He is due in court Friday.