Marengo Man Sentenced to 30 Years for Attempt First Degree Murder of a Law Enforcement Officer

DuPage County State’s Attorney Joseph E. Birkett announced that Charles Anthony, 24 (d.o.b. 6/04/80), of 4106 Ritz Road in Marengo was sentenced today to thirty (30) years in prison for Attempt First Degree Murder of a Law Enforcement Officer in connection with a January 2, 2004 assault that took place in the DuPage County Jail in Wheaton. In addition, he was sentenced to three (3) years for Possession of a Stolen Motor Vehicle, which was the charge that the defendant was originally being held on in the DuPage County Jail at the time of the attack on the law enforcement officer. These two sentences will be served consecutively, therefore Anthony’s total sentence today is 33 years. The defendant had been found guilty by Judge George Bakalis after a two day bench trial this past January.

"This was an extremely brutal crime against a law enforcement officer, and we are pleased with the 30 year sentence that Judge Bakalis has ordered," commented State’s Attorney Birkett. "We do everything we can to protect our officers who are out there 24-7 serving and protecting the public. When that security is breached and an officer is victimized during the course of their duties, especially within the confines of a jail, it is our duty to seek justice to the fullest extent that the law will allow. It is our hope that today’s lengthy prison sentence sends a strong message that this sort of conduct will not be tolerated."

On January 2, 2004, Anthony was in the custody of the DuPage County Jail for Possession of a Stolen Motor Vehicle out of Bensenville. While in custody, a detective of the Marengo Police Department came out to the Wheaton jail to question Anthony regarding unsolved crimes that had occurred within their jurisdiction. After the questioning was concluded, Anthony told DuPage County Sheriff’s Deputies that he wished to speak to the Marengo detective again. Once the detective and the defendant were back in the interview room, Anthony punched the detective, rendering him unconscious, then repeatedly struck him causing multiple fractures to his head and face. According to witnesses that testified at trial, the detective was so badly beaten that his face was unrecognizable. When DuPage County Deputies re-entered the interview room, they found Anthony in the course of putting the detective’s clothes on while the victim lay unconscious in a pool of blood. They subdued him and placed him into custody again. The Marengo detective was taken to Central DuPage Hospital in Winfield where he remained for several days being treated for his injuries.

In addition, State’s Attorney Birkett praised Assistant State’s Attorneys Kevin Halverson and Helen Kapas for their outstanding job in the prosecution of this case, as well as the DuPage County Sheriff’s Office for their quick response and immediate medical attention that saved the life of this Marengo Detective.