CHICAGO – A teenager suspected of being a serial killer and apprehended by the police has been accused of causing fear and havoc among inmates in jail, as per court records and authorities. Key figures in Chicago, such as Police Superintendent Larry Snelling and Cook County State’s Attorney Eileen O’Neill Burke, commended the investigative efforts that led to the capture of Antonio Reyes, putting an end to his murderous acts. However, even while incarcerated, Reyes continues to instill fear, as indicated in court documents.
Court records in Cook County reveal that the now 21-year-old is facing multiple charges for his behavior while in jail. Reyes allegedly attempted to murder his cellmate with a makeshift weapon and also engaged in indecent exposure towards a guard with the intent of harassing her, based on court records.
The recent revelations of Reyes’ troubling conduct in jail coincide with the conclusion of a lengthy investigation by Chicago police, linking Reyes to six killings in 2020 when he was just 16 and 17 years old. Reyes’ violent spree spanned nine months and occurred on the Southwest Side of the city. Authorities state that the victims were seemingly chosen at random, with no connections between them.
Police Superintendent Snelling emphasized the necessity of promptly removing such violent individuals from the streets, stating, “When we’re dealing with someone this violent, we have to remove them from the streets.” Reyes has been charged with six counts of murder and multiple counts of attempted murder for his actions in Chicago. Additionally, he faces charges of attempted murder and indecent exposure within the penal facility.
Reyes was already in custody and facing one murder charge when he allegedly attacked his cellmate with a makeshift blade in the early hours of November 23, 2022. The weapon, described as a “short, improvised blade,” was reportedly crafted from a construction nail. Reyes now faces charges of attempted murder, use of a deadly weapon, and aggravated battery with great bodily harm for the jailhouse assault.
In a separate incident in October 2024, Reyes was charged for attempting to intimidate a female sheriff’s deputy by exposing himself. This behavior led to charges of public indecency and lewd sexual display within the penal institution.
While criminal misconduct by high-profile suspects is not unusual, some cases stand out. David Berkowitz, famously known as the “Son of Sam,” admitted to killing six individuals in New York City. However, even in prison, such individuals can continue to pose challenges.
David Berkowitz, aged 71, has earned the moniker of the “Son of Hope” due to his devout evangelical Christian beliefs. Currently incarcerated at the Shawangunk Correctional Facility in New York, Berkowitz diligently maintains a public journal filled with reflections on his unwavering faith.
In a contrasting tale, Dennis Rader, infamously known as “BTK” for his gruesome acts of binding, torturing, and killing his victims, resided under rigorous constraints at the El Dorado Correctional Facility in Kansas, as reported by the media outlet Grunge. However, over time, this individual, found guilty of the murders of 10 individuals, was granted certain privileges for exhibiting good behavior. These privileges included access to television, radio, and magazines. Prosecutors pushed for limitations on such activities, fearing Rader would use them to indulge in fantasies related to his heinous crimes.
Contrary to popular belief, not all incarcerated serial killers pose threats to their fellow inmates. Jeffrey Dahmer, the notorious perpetrator responsible for the deaths of 17 people, met a tragic end himself while serving time at the Columbia Correctional Institution in Wisconsin following his arrest in 1991. Dahmer’s life was cut short in 1994 when fellow inmate Christopher Scarver bludgeoned him and another prisoner to death.
For breaking news coverage, Michael Loria serves as a prominent national reporter on the USA TODAY news desk. Those wishing to reach out to him can do so via email at mloria@usatoday.com, through his Twitter handle @mchael_mchael, or via Signal at (202) 290-4585.
This article was originally published on USA TODAY and discusses the charges against a suspect in Chicago implicated in a series of murders, including allegations of terrorizing a guard and inmate.
