Former Joliet Murder Defendant Arrested With Gun, Drugs: Police

JOLIET, IL — Jesus Zambrano, one of Joliet's most notorious criminal defendants, was arrested again this past weekend by Joliet police, this time because he did not bring his car to a proper stop at the stop sign, arrest reports show. Inside his vehicle, the 33-year-old North Raynor Avenue resident had cocaine and marijuana that was packaged for distribution and Zambrano had his loaded gun in the car, according to Joliet police.

Zambrano was previously convicted of committing a 2013 Joliet murder, but that conviction was later overturned.

According to Joliet police spokesman Dwayne English, Zambrano's latest Joliet police arrest resulted in him being charged with armed violence, aggravated unlawful use of a weapon, possession of a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver and possession of cannabis with intent to deliver.

According to English, the following events led to Friday night's arrest of Zambrano:

At 7:32 p.m., officers conducted a traffic stop on a Toyota Rav4 in the 1300 block of Campbell Street for disobeying a stop sign. Zambrano was identified as the driver.

While speaking to Zambrano, Officers learned there was cannabis inside his vehicle.

Upon search of Zambrano, Officers recovered a loaded handgun from his waistband and suspected cocaine from his pocket that appeared to be packaged for sale.

Zambrano was placed into custody without incident. Officers searched the vehicle and recovered suspected cannabis that appeared to be packaged for sale. Zambrano was also cited for disobeying a stop sign, and his vehicle was towed from the scene.

Zambrano was booked back into the Will County Jail on Saturday at 12:28 a.m. This marks his fourth incarceration at 95 South Chicago Street since June 2021.

Here are some of Joliet Patch's past crime stories about Zambrano from recent years:

Ex-Murder Defendant Jesus Zambrano Arrested By Joliet Police

Shooting Defendant Jesus Zambrano Arrested By Joliet Police Again

Jesus Zambrano Murder Retrial: Not Guilty Jury Verdict