Attorney General Kwame Raoul announced on Mar. 23 that a Danville man has been sentenced to 60 years in prison for the first-degree murder of a two-year-old child in 2022.
The sentencing follows the conviction of Dantrail Johnson, age 32, by a Vermilion County jury in January for the death of Cali Sago. Judge Mark Goodwin delivered the sentence at Vermilion County Court.
Raoul said, “While this sentence in no way makes up for the loss that Cali Sago’s family has experienced, it is my hope that it provides some healing and relief.” He added, “I would like to thank the Vermilion County State’s Attorney’s Office for their continued partnership in protecting residents and holding those who commit violent crimes accountable.”
According to Raoul, Johnson was caring for Cali Sago on Aug. 11, 2022 while her mother was at work. That evening around 8:38 p.m., police and paramedics responded to a call from Johnson stating that Cali was unresponsive at her home on Garden Drive. She was transported first to a local hospital and then airlifted to Peoria, where she died one month later. The Peoria County Coroner reported signs of violent abuse including brain hemorrhaging and internal injuries; blunt force trauma due to physical abuse was determined as cause of death.
The case was prosecuted by Raoul’s office alongside Vermilion County State’s Attorney Jacqueline M. Lacy’s office. Lacy said, “There is no sentence that could undo the unimaginably brutal murder of this innocent child, but I believe the court’s decision to impose the maximum sentence of 60 years ensures this defendant is held accountable and will not be able to harm another vulnerable victim.”
Bureau Chief Michael Falagario and Supervising Attorney Daniel Weiler prosecuted with Assistant State’s Attorney Thomas O’Connor from Vermilion County.
The Illinois Attorney General advocated for vulnerable groups including workers, immigrants and seniors according to its official website. The office handled thousands of consumer complaints each year according to its official website and aimed to protect consumers while promoting safer communities as well as environmental advocacy according to its official website. Its efforts extended across Illinois according to its official website, partnering with law enforcement agencies statewide according to its official website. The office also offered services such as complaint filing related to consumer fraud or civil rights issues according to its official website.