A 32-year-old Cicero man has been sentenced to decades in prison for an armed robbery in Marengo, during which a store clerk was shot and wounded.
Walter Moran, an alleged gang member with a long history of violent crimes, was sentenced to 80 years in prison, after he was convicted of armed robbery, armed violence, and aggravated battery.
It was February of 2021 when Moran, according to prosecutors, robbed a Circle K convenience store.
It was alleged that he shot the clerk, even though the man complied with Moran’s demands.
McHenry County State’s Attorney Randi Freese said, in a statement, Moran has showed repeatedly that “he has absolutely no regard for human life.”
She added, “a dangerous, repeat violent offender will no longer be able to terrorize our communities.”
Press Release:
McHenry County State’s Attorney Randi L. Freese announces that Walter R. Moran, 32, of Cicero, Illinois, was sentenced today to 80 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections by the Honorable Judge Tiffany E. Davis. Moran was previously found guilty following a week-long jury trial in April of Armed Robbery, Armed Violence, and Aggravated Battery for the February 2021 armed robbery of a Circle K convenience store in Marengo during which he shot a store clerk who had fully complied with his demands. Moran’s sentence will be served consecutively to a federal sentence he had previously received of fifteen years, and Truth-in-Sentencing guidelines require that he serve a minimum of 85% of this sentencing term.
During a sentencing hearing on July 23, 2026, prosecutors presented extensive evidence detailing Moran's lengthy and violent criminal history, calling witnesses from multiple law enforcement agencies and a former Cook County prosecutor to demonstrate the ongoing danger Moran has posed to the public.
Former Cook County Deputy Supervisor Assistant State’s Attorney Eugene Wood testified regarding a separate violent crime committed by Moran in 2021. Evidence established that Moran later pleaded guilty in federal court to Aggravated Kidnapping and Aggravated Vehicular Hijacking after he and an accomplice robbed a 46-year-old woman on her way to work, taking her phone, purse, and car keys before forcing her into the front seat of her own vehicle. As Moran sat in the back seat armed with a firearm, his accomplice drove the victim into rival gang territory where the vehicle came under gunfire. Moran responded by firing multiple shots from inside the vehicle.
McHenry County Sheriff's Deputy Michael Quick testified regarding a gang-motivated Aggravated Battery Moran committed while awaiting trial in the McHenry County Jail. Testimony established that when a fellow Latin King gang member initiated an assault on a rival gang member, Moran joined in the attack, purely to support his fellow Latin King.
Chicago Police Officer Somang Yi testified regarding a 2021 incident in which Moran fled from police while unlawfully possessing a semi-automatic handgun, discarding the firearm during the pursuit before being taken into custody.
Detective Eric Jehl of the Chicago Police Department testified regarding a 2012 Aggravated Battery to a Peace Officer committed by Moran after he threatened officers with a knife and repeatedly kicked Detective Jehl during the encounter. Moran later spit in Detective Jehl’s face.
State’s Attorney Freese stated: "Walter Moran has shown, time and again, that he has absolutely no regard for human life or the rule of law. He didn't hesitate to shoot an innocent store clerk who was doing exactly what he was told, and his violent conduct continued even after his arrest. Today's sentence ensures that a dangerous, repeat violent offender will no longer be able to terrorize our communities. We will continue to aggressively prosecute those who choose violence and do everything possible to ensure they spend years behind bars."
State’s Attorney Freese also expressed her gratitude to former Cook County Deputy Supervisor Assistant State’s Attorney Eugene Wood, McHenry County Sheriff's Deputy Michael Quick, and Chicago Police Officer Somang Yi and Detective Eric Jehl for their assistance during the sentencing hearing.
The case was successfully prosecuted by Chief of Staff Ashley Romito, Special Prosecutor William Bruce, and Assistant State’s Attorney Justin Neubauer.
