JOLIET — A Joliet man with a troubling history of domestic violence is back behind bars for the third year in a row — and this time, he’s not getting out anytime soon.
Darryl Moore, 40, was arrested on June 27 after a harrowing 911 call brought police to his apartment in the 400 block of Division Street. Will County prosecutors have charged him with aggravated domestic battery, two counts of aggravated battery, and two counts of domestic battery, following what they say was a violent incident involving a pregnant woman.
Pregnant Woman Heard Screaming for Help
According to charging documents filed by the Will County State’s Attorney’s Office, Joliet police responded around 6:37 a.m. after receiving a call in which a woman was heard yelling, “I can’t breathe. I’m pregnant.”
When officers arrived, they saw two sets of feet behind the door — one wearing gym shoes, the other barefoot — and instructed the woman to open up so they could check on her safety. Initially, she claimed she was fine and had just returned from work. However, police insisted on seeing her, and when the door finally opened, they discovered bruises and scratches around her neck, bleeding injuries to her right arm, and other trauma.
According to prosecutors, the victim initially claimed the injuries were work-related, but later told first responders that Moore had pushed her in the stomach during an argument.
Police Say Moore Tried to Block Entry
Bodycam footage and police reports indicate that Moore attempted to block officers from entering the apartment. Additional officers, including Sergeants Matt Breen and Szymanski, arrived to assist after hearing about potential violence from a neighbor downstairs, who reported loud yelling and the sound of objects being thrown.
When the woman finally allowed police entry, officers saw visible signs of an assault. Paramedics were called, and Moore was taken into custody at the scene.
While being booked at the Joliet Police Department, Moore denied laying hands on the woman, claiming that her injuries may have been caused by her job or possibly her son, who he described as physically active.
“The defendant claims the visible injuries came from (her) job and potentially (their son) as he is very physical with climbing all over both of them,” prosecutors noted, as reported by Patch.
Repeat Offender Held Under SAFE-T Act
Moore has a long history of violent domestic incidents. According to prosecutors, this is his fourth time being booked into the Will County Jail since 2018, and the third consecutive year in which he’s been jailed for similar offenses.
Due to the severity and repeat nature of the charges, Will County Judge Ken Zelazo ordered Moore held without bail under the Illinois SAFE-T Act, which allows judges to deny pretrial release in serious and violent cases.
Moore remains in custody at the Will County Jail as of July 1. Prosecutors have not indicated when — or if — he could be released ahead of trial.
Have you or someone you know been impacted by repeat domestic violence offenders in your community? Share your experiences with us at ChicagoSuburbanFamily.com as we continue reporting on the real consequences of Illinois’ criminal justice reform efforts.
