Paramedic from Joliet admits addiction and pleads guilty to drug offense

SHOREWOOD – It has been 11 months since Shorewood police issued an arrest warrant for Alex Wilhelmi, a Joliet resident of the 1100 block of Taylor Street who worked as a contract employee for Metro Paramedic Services assigned to the Troy Fire Protection District's Seil Road Station No. 2. In May 2023, the fire district called Shorewood police after discovering Wilhelmi was keeping his cocaine in his locker at the fire station and also responding to emergency calls from the area.

After spending four days in the Will County Jail in connection with his arrest last November, Wilhelmi recently returned to the Will County Courthouse and accepted responsibility for his crime, pleading guilty to felony possession of a controlled substance.

According to court records, Wilhelmi took a drug test on August 5, and his results showed he was clean. A Will County judge accepted his guilty plea. As part of the deal, the other charges still pending against Wilhelmi were dropped.

The judge handed down a conviction and Wilhelmi's case was assigned to Will County Drug Court. He entered into a plea agreement with court officials admitting his drug addiction. Wilhelmi will not face additional prison time if he successfully completes the drug court program next year.

Court records show that Wilhelmi underwent additional drug tests on August 13 and 15 and that he complied with the regulations.

However, his actions had consequences. Because of his guilty plea, Wilhelmi was prohibited from contacting Troy Fire Station No. 2 on West Seil Road, except for medical or fire-related matters. He was also prohibited from contacting Morris Hospital in Morris.

On May 8, 2023, Wilhelmi possessed cocaine, according to the criminal complaint filed last September by Shorewood Police Detective Paul Retzke. Wilhelmi also unlawfully possessed ketamine, and the theft charge states that Wilhelmi unlawfully obtained or handled property belonging to Morris Hospital at 150 West High Street, specifically medical narcotics, “with the intent to permanently deprive the owner of the use or benefit of said property.”