Second of Two Cook County Men Accused of Home Invasions in Wheaton and Lombard Sentenced to 72 Years

Isaiah Johnson, 24 (d.o.b. 7/26/1999) formerly of Blue Island, appeared at his sentencing hearing today in front of Judge Margaret O’Connell, who handed down the 72-year sentence.

“THE SHOCKINGLY VIOLENT BEHAVIOR OF MR. JOHNSON AND MR. PITTS VIOLATED THE SANCTITY OF THEIR VICTIMS’ HOMES,” BERLIN SAID. “WE ALL DESERVE TO FEEL SAFE AND SECURE IN OUR HOMES AND CRIMES SUCH AS THOSE COMMITTED BY THESE TWO DEFENDANTS SHROUD ENTIRE COMMUNITIES UNDER A BLANKET OF FEAR AND ANXIETY, LEAVING RESIDENTS WORRIED ABOUT THEIR OWN PERSONAL SAFETY. THE SENTENCES LEVIED BY JUDGE O’CONNELL AGAINST BOTH MEN, SENDS THE STRONG MESSAGE THAT IN DUPAGE COUNTY, WE VALUE PUBLIC SAFETY AND ANYONE WHO THREATENS THE SAFETY OF OUR COMMUNITIES WILL PAY A SIGNIFICANT PRICE.”

WHEATON - DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin announced today that the second of two men charged with breaking into homes in Wheaton and Lombard and shooting a homeowner in August 2020 has been sentenced to seventy-two years in the Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC). Isaiah Johnson, 24 (d.o.b. 7/26/1999) formerly of Blue Island, appeared at his sentencing hearing today in front of Judge Margaret O’Connell, who handed down the sentence. On August 2, 2023, Johnson entered a blind plea of guilty to one count of Attempt Murder (Class X Felony) and one count of Home Invasion (Class X Felony). Judge O’Connell imposed a sentence of forty-two years for attempt murder to be served at 85% and a consecutive sentence of thirty years for home invasion to be served at 50%. In all, Johnson will be required to serve 50.7 years before being eligible for parole. On March 18, 2024, Judge O’Connell sentenced Johnson’s co-defendant, Malik Pitts, 25 (d.o.b. 7/29/1998) formerly of Broadview, to sixty years in the IDOC after Pitts had earlier entered a blind plea of guilty to one count of Attempt Murder, one count of Home Invasion and one count of Attempt Child Pornography (Class 2 Felony).

On August 23, 2020, at approximately 5:04 a.m. Wheaton police officers responded to 1710 East Evergreen Street for a home invasion. Residents reported that they heard noises coming from outside. The homeowners exited the back door leaving the door unlocked. Once outside, the residents encountered Pitts and Johnson, at which time Johnson pointed a silver handgun at them as Pitts entered the residence through the back door. Shortly after Pitts entered the residence, Johnson, armed with the gun, directed the victims to walk towards the rear of the residence. Once inside, Pitts entered a bedroom where two young girls and their grandmother were sleeping. Pitts then attempted to pull down the blanket, shorts and underwear of one of the girls. At this time the grandmother woke up and began speaking to Pitts at which time he struck her left cheek, ear and neck. The girls’ father entered the room and fought with Pitts. The men then fled the scene in a stolen vehicle. At approximately 5:22 a.m. the same morning, the Lombard Police Department responded to a call at 433 S. Highland Ave for a home invasion and shooting that just occurred. In this case, the male homeowner was awoken by Pitts and Johnson in his living room with Johnson pointing a gun at him asking “where’s the money?” Pitts then went to the upstairs bedroom where the mother and her daughter were sleeping in the same bed. Pitts ordered them to the main floor of the residence and then ordered the daughter to the basement and ordered her to remove her clothing. When the girl refused and fled, a physical struggle ensued between the father and Pitts. The struggle went into the backyard of the residence leaving Johnson with a gun behind them. During the struggle, Johnson fired multiple gunshots, one striking the father in the chest and one into the family car. The gunshot that hit the father went through him and ultimately struck Pitts as well. Johnson and Pitts then fled the scene in the same stolen vehicle driven by a third co-defendant, Keytori Jackson. Jackson has been sentenced to fourteen years for her role in the matter.

“The shockingly violent behavior of Mr. Johnson and Mr. Pitts violated the sanctity of their victims’ homes,” Berlin said. “We all deserve to feel safe and secure in our homes and crimes such as those committed by these two defendants shroud entire communities under a blanket of fear and anxiety, leaving residents worried about their own personal safety. The sentences levied by Judge O’Connell against both men, sends the strong message that in DuPage County, we value public safety and anyone who threatens the safety of our communities will pay a significant price. I thank Assistant State’s Attorneys Jennifer Lindt, Heather Misura and Cathy Nusgart for their outstanding efforts in holding these defendants accountable for their actions.”

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