Jefferson St. Homicide: Will Co. Honored For N.C. Arrest

JOLIET, IL — Eleven months after the Will County Sheriff's Office recovered a young woman's body in a wooded area along West Jefferson Street, sheriff's investigators have received an Award of Excellence from their peers around the state. The 2018 homicide victim, Danica Ford, 22, was a dancer living in Schaumburg. The man suspected of strangling Ford to death and concealing her body in a shallow grave in Joliet was later captured in North Carolina.

Last week, the Illinois Homicide Investigators Association presented the Will County Sheriff's Investigations Unit with the "Award of Excellence" for solving the complex murder case of the out of town victim, the sheriff's office announced on Tuesday.

"Ford was discovered last year in November in a shallow grave in Joliet Township. From the onset of the investigation many twists and turns occurred. The homicide investigation led over two dozen deputies and detectives to Chicago, South Chicago Heights, South Holland, Harvey, Dolton, Schaumburg, and eventually to North Carolina, where they located the offender, Deiontae McMillian. He was extradited to Illinois and was charged with concealment of a homicidal death and three counts of first-degree murder," Will County announced on Facebook.

Since Dec. 15, Deiontae Shawnrico McMillian, now 25, has been lodged inside the Will County Jail where he awaits standing trial at the Will County Courthouse.

Bail remains $4 million for the Fayetteville, N.C. man.

"Thank you to the Illinois Homicide Investigators Association for acknowledging the fine work of these detectives and the Will County Sheriff's Office," Will County police posted on social media.

"Great job fellas. Glad to say that I worked with you all," retired Will County Sheriff's chief deputy of investigations Rick Ackerson posted on Facebook.

"Congrats on being commended on your hard work. Too many officers are never recognized for their hard work. Thank you for all you do protecting us 24/7!!!" one woman commented.

At the time of McMillian's out of state arrest last Nov. 22, the Will County Sheriff's Office announced in a press release, "McMillian left North Carolina and came to Illinois and worked that job for a very short period. Ford eventually came to Illinois where the couple moved from hotel to hotel, while Ford also worked as a dancer and hair stylist. Detectives believe it was at this time, that McMillian and Ford began having domestic problems where he ultimately killed her and discarded her body in the woods in Joliet Township."

McMillian's murder case is nowhere near going to trial.

After being represented by the Will County Public Defender's Office, McMillian recently switched criminal defense attorneys. On Sept. 26, Joliet attorney Paul Napolski of Essington Road entered a court appearance as McMillian's new private defense counsel, court documents note.

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