Joshua Anderson Sentenced to 56 Years for 2019 Denny’s Shooting
Will County State’s Attorney James Glasgow announced that Joshua Anderson, 26 of Chicago, was sentenced today by Circuit Judge Amy Bertani-Tomczak to 35 years in prison for the First-Degree Murder of Gregory Brown and 21 years for Armed Robbery.
The sentence follows a four-day jury trial that concluded on December 13, 2024. Anderson’s co-defendants, Christopher Parker and Bobbie Jo Ollom previously pled guilty for their involvement in the murder. Anderson and Parker were charged with First-Degree Murder under the accountability theory for the role they played in the death of Gregory Brown during the armed robbery.
Parker was sentenced to 37.5 years in prison for First Degree Murder, and Bobbie Jo Ollom was sentenced to 18 years in prison for Armed Robbery.
On April 30, 2019, the Joliet Police Department responded to the Denny’s located at 2531 Plainfield Road in Joliet. Officers located the victim, Gregory Brown, deceased in the parking lot with a gunshot wound to the head.
Surveillance footage obtained from Denny’s showed the victim arrive in a Yukon and the defendant along with co-defendants, Christopher Parker and Bobbie Jo Ollom arrive in a Sedan. Ollom provided critical testimony in the trial regarding the plot to rob Brown in the parking lot of Denny’s.
Once the victim got into the vehicle to meet Ollom, Anderson and Parker pulled out a gun to commit the armed robbery during which time Brown was shot in the head. Forensic evidence collected during the investigation showed the defendant along with Ollom and Parker were present at the Denny’s at the time Ollom met the victim.
“The sanctity of human life is the cornerstone of our civilized society” Glasgow said. “Anderson plotted and planned this vicious robbery for weeks. This sentence of 56 years in prison appropriately drives the stake through the heart of the beast.”
Anderson’s sentence will be served at 100 percent on the First-Degree Murder count and at 85 percent on the Armed Robbery count. He will receive 2,210 days credit for time served. Anderson is also subject to a period of 3 years mandatory supervised release.
Glasgow thanked Assistant State’s Attorneys Christine Vukmir, Erika HHamerl and Brandi Bolton, Victim Witness Advocate Dannette Pasdertz, IT Specialist Braulio Guzman, and the Joliet Police Department for their outstanding work in this matter.
Glasgow also commended the Des Moines County Sheriff’s Department for aiding in the apprehension of the defendant.