North Central College student detained after gun found in dorm; co-defendant faces drug charges
A DuPage County judge has ordered the pre-trial detention of Kurtis Cruz, an 18-year-old North Central College student accused of possessing a loaded firearm on campus. The decision was announced by DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin and Naperville Chief of Police Jason Arres. Cruz faces one count of Unlawful Possession of a Weapon in a School, classified as a Class 3 Felony.
Cruz’s co-defendant, Diyonnes King, also 18, is charged with Delivery of Cannabis on School Grounds (Class 2 Felony) and Delivery of Cannabis between 30-500 grams (Class 3 Felony). King was released with conditions since his charges are not detainable offenses. As part of his release terms, King is barred from entering North Central College dormitories.
The incident occurred early in the morning on January 31, when campus safety officers at North Central College contacted Naperville police after detecting a strong odor of cannabis and loud music coming from the suspects’ dorm room. Upon making contact with Cruz and King, officers reportedly observed a loaded handgun and magazine in the room. Naperville police arrived shortly after and allegedly found a Gen. 5 Glock 29 10mm pistol with an extended magazine containing twenty-six rounds and one round chambered inside a backpack under Cruz’s bed. Officers also reported finding about thirty-nine bags of cannabis weighing approximately 136 grams in King’s backpack.
“A college campus is supposed to be a safe place for learning and growth, not a place where students and staff alike have to be concerned for their personal safety,” Berlin said. “The allegation that Mr. Cruz was in possession of a fully loaded weapon with a twenty-six-capacity extended magazine on a college campus is very alarming,” Berlin said. “I thank North Central College campus safety officers for alerting authorities to the situation as well as the Naperville Police Department for their quick response and efforts that led to the removal of a dangerous weapon from the college. I also thank Assistant State’s Attorneys Eric Vincent and Daniel Orescanin for their work in preparing a strong case against Mr. Cruz.”
“Keeping our students, staff, and community safe is our top priority. This incident involved allegations of illegal drug sales and a loaded firearm on a college campus, which is very concerning,” said Arres. “I want to thank the North Central College campus safety officers and our police officers for their quick, professional response that helped safely recover a loaded firearm and drugs from a dorm room. I also thank State’s Attorney Bob Berlin and his staff for their guidance and partnership during this incident.”
Cruz is scheduled to appear again in court on March 3 before Judge Ann Celine O’Hallaren Walsh; King will appear March 2 before Judge Margaret O’Connell.
DuPage County schools enrolled over 142,000 students during the last academic year across its campuses staffed by more than ten thousand full-time faculty members according to state education data (https://www.isbe.net/Pages/Home.aspx).
Officials remind that these are only charges at this stage; both defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt.