Gerardo Alonso's harrowing legal ordeal culminates in a lawsuit against the Village of Oak Lawn and several associated officers, accusing them of grave constitutional violations. Filed on January 28, 2025, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois by Gerardo Alonso, this complaint names the Village of Oak Lawn, Sergeant James Hunt, Detective T.A. Nelson, and others as defendants.
The case stems from a tragic incident on June 8, 2017, when a fire broke out at Airway Trailer Park in Oak Lawn, Illinois. The blaze resulted in the deaths of David Danna and Randy J. Chabala. Initially suspected of arson and murder based on conflicting witness accounts, Alonso was arrested by Officer James Hunt but released shortly after without charges. However, he was re-arrested on June 17, 2017, facing serious accusations including first-degree murder and assault due to injuries found on one victim.
Alonso spent over six years incarcerated before being released on January 29, 2024. His release followed a court motion by the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office to drop all charges against him. Throughout his detention, Alonso's life was severely disrupted; he lost family members without attending their funerals and faced alienation from friends who believed him guilty.
Alonso's lawsuit accuses the defendants of numerous violations under federal law (42 U.S.C. §1983), including due process breaches and unreasonable seizure under the Fourth Amendment. The complaint alleges that police officers conspired to falsely arrest him and fabricated evidence to sustain his wrongful prosecution. It also targets prosecutor Deborah Lawler for misleading conduct during hearings that contributed to his prolonged detention.
Seeking justice for his ordeal, Alonso demands compensatory damages for emotional distress and loss of liberty alongside punitive damages against those responsible for his unjust treatment. He requests statutory attorney fees under federal law provisions and any other relief deemed appropriate by the court.
Representing Alonso are attorneys Michael C. Goode from The Law Office of Michael C. Goode and Terrence M. Jordan from Integrity Law Group LLC. The case is presided over by Judge Colleen Hyland with Case ID: 1:25-cv-00963.