A wrongful prosecution case has emerged from Lake County, Illinois, involving a man who was wrongfully accused and detained for over two years. Dalance Robinson filed a civil complaint in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois on March 13, 2025, against Lake County and several individuals including Lauren Callinan, Ryan Koehl, Donald Tyer, Stephen Scheller, Sheriff John Idleburg, and Detective Lana LeMons.
The lawsuit stems from an incident that began on May 29, 2020, when Elliot Jones was shot and killed during a botched robbery attempt by DonTerrance Nixon. Nixon initially planned to sell marijuana to Jones but decided instead to steal his money. During the robbery attempt, Jones was fatally shot. Although Nixon confessed to his involvement in the crime after being arrested on unrelated charges, he implicated Robinson as the shooter without any physical evidence supporting this claim. Robinson's phone records placed him miles away from the crime scene at the time of the murder.
Robinson's complaint alleges that Lake County officials conspired to prosecute him despite knowing there was no credible evidence linking him to the crime. The complaint accuses Assistant State’s Attorney Lauren Callinan of orchestrating a plea deal with Nixon in exchange for his testimony against Robinson. It also claims that Detective Lana LeMons provided false testimony before a grand jury which led to Robinson's indictment and subsequent arrest on August 11, 2021.
During Robinson's trial in March 2024, prosecutors relied heavily on Nixon's testimony despite inconsistencies and lack of corroborating evidence. Surveillance footage failed to place Robinson at the scene or with Nixon before or after the crime occurred. Ultimately, a jury acquitted Robinson of all charges on March 15, 2024.
Robinson is seeking compensatory and punitive damages exceeding $75,000 for violations of his Fourth and Fourteenth Amendment rights due to unlawful seizure and detention. He also seeks relief for malicious prosecution under state tort law and claims emotional distress caused by his wrongful incarceration.
The case highlights serious allegations against law enforcement officials who are accused of using perjured testimony and unreliable evidence in their pursuit of prosecuting Robinson. The lawsuit aims not only to seek justice for Robinson but also to hold accountable those responsible for his wrongful imprisonment.
Attorney Jed Stone represents Dalance Robinson in this case filed under Case No: 1:25-cv-02668 with Judge presiding over it yet unnamed.