A convicted felon has been charged after authorities say he tried to bring a gun into the McHenry County Courthouse without any reason to be at the courthouse and then ran from officers in Woodstock Monday.
The McHenry County Sheriff’s Office said a person attempted to enter through the west entrance of the Michael J. Sullivan Judicial Center, 2200 North Seminary Avenue in Woodstock, around 3:58 p.m. Monday.
Prosecutors said the subject, later identified as Jake A. Baraglia, 33, of Huntley, handed a bag to a court security officer.
The bag was going to be placed into a screening device when the officer saw that the bag held a semi-automatic handgun and a magazine loaded with three bullets.
The court security officer attempted to further examine the bag and Baraglia grabbed the bag, prosecutors said.
A struggle ensued over the bag which caused the officer to fall and suffer injuries.
The officer suffered an abrasion and contusion to his left arm as well as a laceration and swelling to the head, according to a criminal complaint.
Baraglia fled on foot and a short foot pursuit took place, the sheriff’s office said.
Baraglia was apprehended south of the courthouse near the McHenry County Treasurer’s Office.
The weapon was recovered a short time later under a bush, prosecutors said.
“We commend the swift action of our Court Security Officers and thank all who assisted,” the sheriff’s office said.
An ambulance was dispatched to the scene to evaluate Baraglia after he was taken into custody and to transport him to the hospital.
It is unclear why Baraglia was attempting to enter the courthouse. Prosecutors said he did not have any “scheduled business” at the building.
Baraglia was charged with felon in possession of a weapon, aggravated unlawful possession of a weapon enhanced, unlawful possession of a firearm and aggravated battery of a government employee.
A criminal complaint filed in McHenry County Circuit Court alleges Baraglia was in possession of an SCCY CPX 9mm semi-automatic pistol.
Baraglia is a convicted felon and is not allowed to possess weapons.
Court records show Baraglia has 28 different cases in McHenry County since 2018.
Those cases involve felonies, misdemeanors, traffic violations and ordinance violations. 11 of the 28 are felony cases, with the most recent ones being for offenses of possession of a controlled substance and resisting a peace officer causing injury.
Baraglia has since been transferred to the McHenry County Jail where he remains held.
The McHenry County State’s Attorney’s Office filed a petition to detain Baraglia pending trial and McHenry County Judge Cynthia Lamb granted the petition during an Initial Appearance Court hearing on Tuesday afternoon.
McHenry County State’s Attorney Randi Freese said she commends the McHenry County Courthouse security officers and all members of law enforcement who acted to “ensure the safety of the people both inside and outside of the courthouse.”
Baraglia is scheduled to appear in court again on July 29.