A man has been sentenced to almost two years in prison after he threatened to shoot multiple children who were riding bikes at the Crystal Lake South High School.
Aaron E. Pittner, 30, of Crystal Lake, was charged in August 2024 with transmitting a threat to a school building or persons, a Class 4 felony.
A criminal complaint filed in McHenry County Circuit Court alleges Pittner made a threat around 6:35 p.m. on August 22, 2024.
The complaint said Pittner transmitted threats to approximately six juveniles by stating he was going to shoot them while they were on school grounds at Crystal Lake South High School, 1200 South McHenry Avenue.
McHenry County Assistant State’s Attorney Steve Gregorowicz said Pittner made the threats to 12-year-old children who were riding their bicycles on school grounds, the Northwest Herald previously reported.
Pittner indicated he was armed with a gun, Gregorowicz said.
Pittner was listed as homeless and his last known residence was a house approximately a half-mile east of the school, court records show.
The Crystal Lake Police Department arrested Pittner and transported him to the McHenry County Jail.
Shannon Podzimek, the Director of Communications and Community Relations for Community High School District 155, said the school district was notified by the Crystal Lake Police Department of the incident on the evening it occurred.
Podzimek said there was no threat to the community. “We continue to work closely with the Crystal Lake Police Department to ensure the safety of our students, staff, and community.”
Court records show the McHenry County State’s Attorney’s Office filed a petition to detain Pittner pending trial, which McHenry County Judge Carl Metz denied and released Pittner following a detention hearing.
The judge ordered Pittner not to leave the state, not to possess any dangerous weapons, have no contact with the Crystal Lake South High School and have no contact with any minor.
Court records show Pittner reached a negotiated plea deal with the state’s attorney’s office on Tuesday.
He pleaded guilty to the Class 4 felony charge against him in exchange for an 18-month sentence in the Illinois Department of Corrections. The plea was accepted by McHenry County Judge Tiffany Davis.
Pittner will be required to serve 50% of the sentence in accordance with truth-in-sentencing guidelines.
In June 2022, Pittner was sentenced to four years in prison for attacking and injuring another man in McHenry.