A Lake County judge has sentenced 28-year-old Jamonte Davis to 67 years in prison for the 2022 shooting death of 42-year-old father Sergio Berrios in Waukegan, a killing prosecutors say was carefully planned and targeted an innocent man. The sentencing hearing included four victim-impact statements from Berrios' wife, two daughters, and his brother, and followed a jury's December 2025 guilty verdict.
What the Court Ruled
The judge handed down a 42-year sentence for first-degree murder and tacked on a 25-year firearm enhancement that must be served at 100 percent, bringing Davis' total time to 67 years. In a separate case, prosecutors said Davis also received a consecutive six-year sentence. Prosecutors had pushed for a natural life term and presented evidence in aggravation, including testimony about an inmate altercation earlier this year, according to FOX 32 Chicago.
How Prosecutors Tied Him to the Scene
The shooting happened in the early morning hours of October 3, 2022, when officers found Berrios inside a vehicle in the 1300 block of Chestnut Street in Waukegan. Investigators used surveillance video, cell-phone location data and forensic analysis to link Davis to the crime scene. Evidence showed a masked shooter arriving in a stolen Dodge Charger, and prosecutors said two phones fell from a suspect as he ran from the area. After a five-day trial, jurors convicted Davis of first-degree murder in December 2025, according to WTMJ.
Family Reaction and Prosecutor's Comments
Berrios' family told the court that he was a devoted father and that his death leaves a void his daughters will carry for the rest of their lives. Lake County State's Attorney Eric Rinehart said, "This tragic shooting should have never happened," and added that the sentence will likely keep Davis behind bars for the rest of his life, as reported by FOX 32 Chicago.
Where the Case Goes From Here
Davis will serve his time in the Illinois Department of Corrections. His defense team can still file post-sentence motions or appeal the conviction and sentence. The Lake County State's Attorney's Office provided information used in coverage of the hearing.
