A man was sentenced to four years in prison for kicking an officer in the face and threatening harm to officers’ families following a fight outside of a Woodstock bar.
Juan Morales Jr., 33, of Woodstock, was charged in June with aggravated battery to a peace officer, aggravated battery in a public place, resisting a peace officer and threatening a public official.
Woodstock Deputy Police Chief Ray Lanz said officers were dispatched to The Cabin, 223 North Benton Street, for a report of a physical altercation.
Officers arrived and located a male subject, later identified as Morales, being restrained by other bystanders outside of the bar, Lanz said.
After investigating the incident, Lanz said officers learned Morales was told to leave the establishment by employees due to his behavior, and a physical altercation ensued.
Morales had struck a bystander and an employee, after which they physically restrained him until the police arrived, Lanz said.
Morales kicked one of the arresting officers in the face as they were placing him in the rear of the squad car, Lanz said.
Lanz said Morales began making threatening statements towards that officer and other officers on the scene regarding them and the children they may or may not have.
None of the officers involved were seriously injured in the incident, Lanz said.
Court records show Morales kicked the officer near his left eye and made threats to the officer’s family.
Morales was also charged when he tried to spit in the face of another officer, court records show.
Court records show Morales pleaded guilty on Wednesday to aggravated battery of a peace officer, a Class 2 felony, in exchange for his other charges being dismissed.
McHenry County Judge Tiffany Davis sentenced Morales to four years in the Illinois Department of Corrections pursuant to the agreement.
The sentence will be served at 50% in accordance with truth-in-sentencing guidelines.
Morales will also receive 180 days of credit for time served and 49 days of credit for engaging in self-improvement activities or work assignments.