The Southland's major criminal and civil cases heard in Cook County and Will County courts this week.

Cook County

ORLAND PARK— Arraignment is set April 23 for the alleged “Orland Ghost Rider,” a wheelie-popping biker who shot videos of himself fleeing and mocking police officers that were later found on YouTube. Justin Jachimiec, 22, has been indicted on felony charges in the past related to resisting arrest and driving a stolen vehicle.

Also — Arraignment was set April 26 for a Park Forest man whose charges, in addition to stalking, now include possession of child pornography. Orland Park detectives say they found the images on James Shaver’s cell phone while investigating allegations that he had tried luring a girl into his car last year.

TINLEY PARK — Painted Pastures Animal Cruelty Case Will Start Over

A new bench trial against the owner of Dazzle's Painted Pastures Animal Rescue and Sanctuary in Tinley Park is slated for May 2. The mistrial stems from the state's key witness being indicted on federal extortion charges.

Will County

FRANKFORT — Testimony intended to show how William Jenkins was unlawfully arrested was continued to April 26 in Judge Sarah Jones’ courtroom. Jenkins, who is defending himself, was charged with residential burglary, theft and obstruction of identification following a residential burglary and lockdown of two Frankfort schools on a Friday morning late last year. He alleges that he was subjected to an unreasonable stop and search and began calling witnesses on Monday.

Both Jenkins and co-defendant Ira Cunningham—also charged with residential burglary, theft and obstructing identification—return to court later this month.

Also — With an appeal stalled at the state court level, pretrial hearings involving a Frankfort Township man accused of murder were continued to May 1. The Will County State’s Attorney’s Office is challenging a recent circuit court ruling that sheriff’s police deprived Brian Trainauskas of his right to counsel during an interrogation on Jan. 23, 2009. Additionally, Trainauskas remains on jail on allegations that he subsequently plotted to murder a prosecutor and pin the initial murder charge on someone else.

On the Docket Next Week

MONDAY

Allan Kustok, charged with first-degree murder of his wife

TUESDAY

Michael T. Kelly, accused of beating and choking a girl

THURSDAY

Sam Cafi, accused of one man and hospitalizing three others in a DUI crash

William and Kimberly Opferman, each charged with unlawfully allowing a minor to become intoxicated

FRIDAY

John Leonard, a former Tinley Park cop, will be sentenced for DUI hit-and-run

Looking for more crime news from this week?

Sex Offender Faces Charges for Coaching Kids at Park

Palos Park Couple's Deaths Ruled Murder-Suicide  

'Freckle-Faced' Bandit Robs Alsip Bank

Police Accuse Parking Lot Squatters of Cocaine, Pot Possession

Man Pitches Tent in Siemsen Meadow, Police Say

Signs of a Break In Found at House Fire

Elderly Woman Injured in Mugging for Cash and Rosary

Arrival of Spring Means Ruse Burglars Are Back