Dupage Policy Journal

DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin announced the sentencing of Malik Pitts, 25, to sixty years in the Illinois Department of Corrections. Pitts was involved in home invasions in Wheaton and Lombard in August 2020. The sentence was delivered by Judge Margaret O’Connell following Pitts' guilty plea on July 31, 2023, to charges including Attempt Murder and Home Invasion.

Pitts will serve a total of 41.5 years before becoming eligible for parole. His co-defendant, Isaiah Johnson, 24, is awaiting a sentencing hearing scheduled for March 29, 2024.

The incidents occurred on August 23, 2020. Wheaton Police responded to a home invasion at East Evergreen Street around 5:04 a.m., where Pitts and Johnson confronted residents with a handgun. Pitts entered the residence and assaulted family members before fleeing in a stolen vehicle.

Later that morning, Lombard Police were called to another home invasion at South Highland Avenue. During this incident, the homeowner was shot after confronting Pitts and Johnson. Both men fled with assistance from Keytori Jackson, who has since been sentenced to fourteen years.

Berlin commented on the severity of the crimes: “In the early morning hours, Mr. Pitts and Mr. Johnson violated the sanctity of their victims’ home in the worst imaginable way possible,” he said. He emphasized DuPage County's zero tolerance for such violent crimes.

Assistant State’s Attorneys Jennifer Lindt, Heather Misura, and Cathy Nusgart were acknowledged for their roles in prosecuting the case.