A former police officer has been sentenced to probation after taking a plea deal in a case where he was charged with unlawfully restraining a woman and battering her while off-duty in Algonquin.
Michael B. Cowsert, 52, formerly of Algonquin and currently of Inverness, was charged in August 2022 with aggravated domestic battery, unlawful restraint and four counts of domestic battery.
A criminal complaint filed in McHenry County Circuit Court said Cowsert got into an argument with a woman on August 14, 2022, and a struggle ensued over the victim’s phone.
Cowsert placed his hands upon a woman’s arms, causing red marks on both of her biceps, in an attempt to hold her down, the complaint said.
Cowsert pushed and threw the woman, who was a household member of his, to the ground, according to the complaint.
The complaint said the victim suffered great bodily harm, including a fracture to her hand and a swollen finger.
The Algonquin Police Department responded to the incident and arrested Cowsert.
The man was released from custody after posting 10% of his $50,000 bond.
Arlington Heights Deputy Police Chief Greg Czernecki said Cowsert was employed as an Arlington Heights police officer since 1996, the Northwest Herald previously reported.
Czernecki said Cowsert resigned from the Arlington Heights Police Department on September 27, 2022, following the incident.
Court records show Cowsert recently entered into a negotiated plea agreement with the McHenry County State’s Attorney’s Office.
He pleaded guilty to one count of domestic battery physical contact, a Class A misdemeanor, in exchange for his other charges being dismissed.
McHenry County Judge Mark Gerhardt approved the plea on Wednesday and sentenced Cowsert to two years of probation pursuant to the agreement.
The most serious charge against Cowsert was aggravated domestic battery, a Class 2 felony, which carries a sentence of three to seven years in prison.
Cowsert will also be required to pay $1,949 in court fines and fees.