A struggle ensued between deputies and a man after officials say he violated court rules and refused to comply with officers during a court hearing at the Lake County Courthouse in Waukegan.
Jason D. Jones, 48, of Chicago, was scheduled to appear at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Lake County Courthouse in Waukegan for a hearing regarding an order of protection.
Lake County Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Matthew Harmon said Jones is also on pre-trial release out of Cook County for domestic battery.
He was additionally previously arrested on March 12 by members of the Lake County Court Emergency Response Team (CERT) for video recording inside the courthouse and obstructing an officer.
Harmon said Jones also had several instances over the years prior to March 12 of violating the rules of the 19th Judicial Circuit Court, for which he has received numerous warnings.
Before the court proceedings began on Wednesday in Courtroom T-511, Jones entered the area beyond the gallery wall and sat in a section reserved for attorneys.
He did so without authorization and before his case was called, Harmon said.
A court security officer instructed Jones to return behind the gallery wall.
He refused to comply and reportedly pulled out his cellphone while continuing to ignore verbal commands.
CERT was notified and responded to the courtroom. They gave Jones multiple warnings and directed him to move behind the wall and put away all electronic devices.
Harmon said Jones was ordered to leave the courtroom and warned that non-compliance would result in arrest for obstruction.
Jones began to walk toward the courtroom vestibule but abruptly turned to face a sheriff’s sergeant.
Harmon said Jones held his cellphone close to the sergeant’s face and continued to ignore commands.
Deputies told Jones he was under arrest and resisted arrest and pulled away from deputies, Harmon said. They were eventually able to take him into custody without injury.
Jones was transported to the Lake County Jail and appeared for a First Appearance Court hearing on Thursday morning.
He was charged with resisting arrest and obstructing a peace officer.
The Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office filed a petition to revoke Jones’ pre-trial release in his prior case.
Jones was set to appear for a pre-trial release revocation hearing on Friday afternoon.