No Arrests In Sema'j Crosby Case Expected This Week: Deputy Chief

JOLIET, IL - Rick Ackerson, Will County's chief deputy of special operations and investigations, said Monday he does not anticipate criminal charges will be filed this coming week in connection with the April death of Sema'j Crosby. The little girl's death remained a mystery until Friday afternoon when Will County Coroner Patrick K. O'Neil issued a press release revealing that the Joliet Township child's death has been ruled a homicide, and the cause of death is being classified as asphyxia.

On Monday, Joliet Patch spoke with Ackerson, who has been at the forefront of the Sema'j Crosby criminal investigation since late April. During the interview, Ackerson reiterated one of the sheriff's department's central themes, that four women who were familiar with Sema'j and the house where she died have cut off communication with the sheriff's department. As a result, the case has remained a significant challenge. But as far as Friday's development regarding the cause and manner of death, Ackerson said, "it didn't surprise us. We were just waiting for a final opinion."

If anybody has leads or information that can help police make headway, they should call Will County at 815-727-8575, Ackerson said. In the meantime, the four women who are central to the investigation all have separate criminal defense attorneys, and Will County is legally obligated to go through their lawyers anytime the police want to pose questions to any of them about the case.

Over the past two weeks, The Justice For Semaj Action Team has held peaceful rallies in front of the Will County Courthouse and also outside the Ottawa Street building of Will County State's Attorney James Glasgow. Among other things, the group has pressed for Will County to consider bringing lesser criminal charges against some, if not all, of the four women who are not cooperating with police. In addition to the homicide, someone moved the child's body underneath a couch and somebody burned the house down in the days after the homicide. (For more information on this and other neighborhood stories, subscribe to Patch to receive daily newsletters and breaking news alerts.)

During Monday's interview, Ackerson said that Will County "is not going to be arresting people just to arrest people." The only way that charges will be filed is when police have solid evidence to show that a specific person or persons committed a crime, he indicated.

As far as the Justice for Semaj Action Team, "I understand they want justice ... four people in that house know what happened in that house," Ackerson said. "They've not been cooperative."

Back in July, which is more than two months ago, Sheriff's Detective R.J. Austin revealed at a community forum that the four Joliet women who refuse to help the police unravel the mysterious circumstances of Semaj's death were Sema'j's mother, Sheri Gordon; Darlene Crosby, who is Sema'j's grandmother; Lakerisha Crosby, Sema'j's aunt; and Tamika Robinson, a friend of Darlene Crosby.

During Monday's interview, Ackerson echoed the comments put forth by the Will County State's Attorney's Office on Friday evening. He said sheriff's investigators continue to have regular follow-up meetings with representatives of the State's Attorney's Office, "at a minimum of every other week to review and see where we're at."

But Ackerson does not want Friday's announcement by Coroner O'Neil to set unrealistic expectations that criminal charges are imminent. There's no reason to believe that charges in Sema'js death are coming "this week unless someone comes forward," he explained.

More recent Patch coverage on Sema'j Crosby tragedy:

• Sema'j Crosby Was Murder Victim
• Sema'j Crosby Group Calls For Outside Prosecutor
• Sema'j Crosby Group Displeased With Will County Police
• Sema'j Crosby Update: 4 Women Still Not Cooperating With Police

Image of Rick Ackerson via Will County Sheriff's Department

Other image via Joliet Patch