Convicted Bank Robber Guilty Of Assaulting Kankakee Co. Jail Guards With Broom: Federal Jury

URBANA, IL — A federal bank robbery detainee was convicted last week of assaulting a Kankakee County jail guard with a broom while in custody, prosecutors said.

On Sept. 24, a federal jury returned two guilty verdicts against Jermaine Turner, 27, of Chicago, for assaulting a correctional officer with a dangerous weapon. Sentencing for Turner has been scheduled for Jan. 25, 2027, at the U.S. Courthouse in Urbana, according to the U.S. Attorney, Central District of Illinois.

During testimony, the government presented evidence that, on Nov. 20, 2023, Turner was being held by the United States Marshals Service at the Jerome Combs Detention Center in Kankakee, pending a federal trial. While detained, Turner assaulted two correctional officers with a wooden broom handle, prosecutors said. After being told he would be disciplined for entering another detainee’s cell without permission, Turner picked up a broom and hit a correctional officer on the back of the head, causing a large hematoma.

Federal officials say Turner then refused orders from another correctional officer to drop the broom, approached the officer, and attempted to hit him on the head. The officer blocked the blow with his forearm, and correctional officers disarmed and restrained Turner.

Turner remains in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending sentencing.

Turner faces statutory penalties of up to 20 years of imprisonment, up to three years of supervised release, and a $250,000 fine on each of the two counts of conviction.

Turner is currently serving a 120-month sentence for armed bank robbery in the Northern District of Illinois.

In that incident in March 2022, Turner robbed Fifth Third Bank in Chicago of a little less than $3,000. Turner reportedly struck a victim with his firearm during the crime, according to court documents. He pleaded guilty and was sentenced in 2024.

"He is emotionally underdeveloped and has deficient behavioral controls," his attorneys said in requesting a "sentence sufficient but not greater than necessary" in 2024.

"He found his way into the 'streets' and that only further stunted and inhibited his growth. He had no guidance or supervision. He received mental health diagnoses and was prescribed medication. With no one to rely on or support him, his poor decisions were only enabled.

"... He has now hit rock bottom and has to face moving forward with his life with an impending term of federal detention. ... Jermaine Turner does not want to live life incarcerated. He will take this opportunity given to him to show the Court that he is moving forward to being a better person and citizen.

"He realizes that there are no excuses for the choices he made."