An Algonquin man has been convicted of strangling a child during an attack, which was reported after school officials detected certain keywords in messages sent via a school computer.
Demond Williams, 43, of Algonquin, was charged in March 2022 with two counts of aggravated domestic battery by strangulation and two counts of domestic battery.
Huntley High School faculty contacted the Algonquin Police Department on February 28, 2022.
Prosecutors said certain keywords were detected in messages sent via a school computer indicating that a student had been the victim of abuse.
The officers responded to the 17-year-old victim’s address where they interviewed the victim, her mother and Williams.
The victim, who is now an adult, told officers in a statement that Williams had barged into her room that day, prosecutors said.
He forced the girl to the ground with his hands around her neck until she was unable to breathe, prosecutors said.
Officers arrested Williams at the scene after seeing visible marks on the victim’s neck as well as due to statements made by Williams.
A bench trial before McHenry County Judge Tiffany Davis was held earlier this month.
Davis found Williams guilty on all counts against him. He faces up to seven years in prison.
He was taken into custody immediately and is being held in the McHenry County Jail awaiting sentencing.
The McHenry County State’s Attorney’s Office said they take crimes of domestic violence “very seriously” as they often involve a repeated pattern of harm.
A sentencing hearing is scheduled for May 9.