Homer Glen, IL…This weekend, ICE agents with the Department of Homeland Security detained 52-year-old Jose Luis Mendoza-Gonzalez. Mendoza-Gonzalez is accused of concealing the death of Megan Bos for nearly two months. Bos was reported missing on March 9, and her remains were discovered on April 10 inside a storage container in Waukegan at Mendoza-Gonzalez’s residence. Despite these disturbing facts, he was released pending trial under Illinois’ SAFE-T Act. This outcome has devastated her loved ones and ignited renewed scrutiny of Illinois’ criminal justice reforms.
State Representative Patrick Sheehan (R-Homer Glen) spoke with Megan’s mother Jennifer this weekend. Jennifer had appeared earlier this year with Rep. Sheehan at a press conference in Springfield to talk about the case and the failings of the SAFE-T Act.
“I had the chance to speak with Jennifer, Megan’s mom, this weekend,” Rep. Sheehan said. “She was in tears as she told me the news. My prayers are with her and her entire family. While the pain of this tragedy can never be taken away, we are grateful to have finally received justice for Megan.”
Rep. Sheehan called the release of Mendoza-Gonzalez horrific and further proof that the SAFE-T Act must be repealed.
“Were it not for federal law enforcement, Mendoza-Gonzalez would be walking free right now,” said Rep. Sheehan. “This is more proof of how the SAFE-T Act and cashless bail have failed the family of Megan Bos and the people of Illinois. Megan and her family deserve justice, but Illinois law has stripped law enforcement of critical tools, tied the hands of officers, and prioritized criminals over victims. Illinois families deserve better. Megan deserved better.”
The combination of Illinois’ SAFE-T Act, which eliminated cash bail and has removed layers of judicial discretion to hold criminals, and Illinois’ sanctuary state policies have allowed a growing number of dangerous individuals to be released before trial.
“We need to hold criminals accountable and ensure families can have peace,” said Sheehan. “It shouldn’t take ICE agents to clean up this horrific failure of Illinois law.”
Rep. Sheehan proudly serves the people of the 37th District.
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