Gilbert Pleads Guilty to Burr Ridge Murder

, 48, formerly of Chicago, has entered a blind plea of guilty but mentally ill to one count of first degree murder in connection with the murder of a former co-worker in Burr Ridge in 2009. 

Today's plea is the result of allegations that Gilbert falsely lured then
38-year-old Jason D. Dragos of Highland, IN to a Burr Ridge trucking company on Sunday, Feb. 8, 2009, claiming that it was necessary for Dragos and him to meet there that morning to prepare for a business meeting they were both to attend later that same day. At the company, Gilbert fatally shot Dragos once in the head and left his body in a storage closet. Gilbert then fled the scene and left Dragos' body there. 

Dragos' wife called police when Dragos failed to return home from work. On March 7, 2009, Gilbert was charged with first degree murder following an investigation led by the DuPage County Sheriff's Office. He has remained held without bond in the DuPage County Jail since his arrest.

"This morning John Gilbert admitted that he is responsible for the senseless murder of Jason Dragos," DuPage County State's Attorney Robert B. Berlin said today. "While his admission will not bring Jason back to those who loved him, perhaps it will allow them to move forward with their lives and their memories of Jason, knowing the man who killed Jason will be held responsible for his death."

Gilbert is scheduled to be sentenced on Dec. 20. He faces up to 60 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections.