McHenry County Blog

A press release from Fight Crime: Invest in Kids:

ILLINOIS LAW ENFORCEMENT LEADERS SAY SCHOOL CLIMATE AND METNAL HEALTH ARE THE KEYS TO SCHOOL SAFETY

States Attorneys, sheriffs, police chiefs meet with Senator Mark Kirk about preventing gun violence

Lake County, IL (April 12, 2013) – In the wake of the Sandy Hook tragedy, Illinois law enforcement leaders met with Senator Mark Kirk to urge Congress to include key school climate and mental health approaches in any legislation to address gun violence and support school safety. The meeting was attended by:

• Bob Berlin, State’s Attorney, DuPage County
• Russ Laine, Chief of Police, Algonquin
• Joe McMahon, State’s Attorney, Kane County
• Michael Nerheim, State’s Attorney, Lake County
• Richard Randall, Sheriff, Kendall County
• Tom Weitzel, Chief of Police, Riverside

US Senator Mark Kirk with DuPage County State’s Attorney Bob Berlin, Algonquin Police Chief Russ Laine, Kane County State’s Attorney Joe McMahon, Lake County State’s Attorney Michael Nerheim, Kendall County Sheriff Richard Randall and Chief Tom Weitzel of Riverside.. The law enforcement leaders are members of Fight Crime: Invest In Kids.

The law enforcement leaders are members of Fight Crime: Invest in Kids, a group of 5,000 police chiefs, sheriffs, prosecutors and crime survivors who believe the best way to prevent crime and violence is to invest in proven strategies that get kids started on the right path in life and keep them there.

They presented Senator Kirk with a letter signed by over 100 Illinois law enforcement leaders that highlighted several approaches supported by the group.

Russ Laine

“Law enforcement and prosecutors know that no conversation about school safety and preventing gun violence is complete without addressing the mental health and behavioral challenges schools face daily,” said DuPage County State’s Attorney Bob Berlin.

“It is critical to public safety to make sure teachers, staff and students have the right tools to help troubled youth, increase positive behavior, and keep kids in school and on track,” said Algonquin Police Chief Russ Laine.

Address bullying to improve school climates

To keep kids on the right path, schools must foster a positive school climate conducive to learning and free from violence, including bullying.

A U.S. Secret Service study showed that 75 percent of school shooters had previously been bullied or injured by fellow students.

The law enforcement leaders highlighted the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program, which was shown to reduce bullying in North Carolina by 20 percent.

The key, members said, is to focus on evidence-based approaches, since they have been proven to positively address school climate and ensure long-term public safety.

“Bullying among youth hurts both bystanders and victims. It’s disruptive to learning, and has lasting repercussions for many children. Prevention of serious incidents of violence starts by preventing bullying with proven strategies,” said Lake County State’s Attorney Mike Nerheim.

Don’t push troubled kids out of school

The law enforcement leaders also cautioned against unnecessary suspensions and expulsions for conduct that doesn’t impact the safety of the school environment.

“Too many troubled kids view suspension and expulsion as a free vacation from supervision,” said Kane County State’s Attorney Joe McMahon. “Suspension and expulsion are absolutely essential tools for the most serious offenses, but we can’t keep pushing kids out of school and into the streets unsupervised for relatively minor, non-violent infractions.”

Research has shown that students who have been suspended or expelled are nearly five times more likely to drop out than their peers.

Additionally, a student who drops out becomes eight times more likely to end up in jail or prison than his or her peers who stayed in school.

Address mental health issues

Finally, the Fight Crime: Invest in Kids representatives urged Senator Kirk to consider several mental health recommendations.

About one in five children and adolescents aged 9 to 17 have a diagnosable mental health order, but 70 to 80 percent fail to receive needed treatments.

“Children often show signs of mental health challenges well before they turn to violence,” said Riverside Police Chief Tom Weitzel.

“We must do everything in our power to identify those children and get them the support and effective treatment they need as early as possible.”

The law enforcement leaders urged Senator Kirk to include resources to provide school personnel with training to identify, screen and refer students to essential evidence-based mental and behavioral health services. While no single solution will prevent all crime, the recommendations outlined are components of a comprehensive plan to reduce violence and improve school safety.

“It’s important to remember there is no catch-all solution to preventing tragedies like the one in Newtown, or other kinds of crime,” said Kendall County Sheriff Richard Randall. “But a comprehensive approach that incorporates the best available tools to give kids and schools the right supports is our best bet.”

A press release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office:

ALGONQUIN ATTORNEY PLEADS GUILTY TO FEDERAL MURDER FOR HIRE CHARGE

ROCKFORD — An Algonquin, Ill., attorney pleaded guilty today to using an interstate facility, a cell phone, in a murder-for-hire scheme. In pleading guilty, JASON W. SMIEKEL, 30, of Algonquin, admitted to using his cell phone with the intent that a murder-for-hire be committed.

Smiekel faces up to 10 years of imprisonment and a $250,000 fine.

Smiekel is scheduled to be sentenced on July 17, 2012, at 10:00 a.m. by U.S. District Judge Frederick J. Kapala.

Smiekel was charged by indictment on August 16, 2011, with federal murder-for-hire charges.

In his plea agreement, Smiekel admitted that in late July 2011, he asked an individual if that individual knew someone who would commit a murder-for-hire.

The individual provided Smiekel with the first name and cellular telephone number for an ATF Special Agent acting in an undercover capacity.

Where Jason Smiekel practiced law.

On August 1, 2011, Smiekel offered to pay the undercover agent $20,000 to kill a certain person.

The next day, Smiekel used his cell phone, a facility of interstate commerce, to arrange for a meeting with the undercover agent, where Smiekel gave $1,500 in expense money and a photograph of the intended victim to the undercover agent.

On August 4, 2011, after Smiekel paid $7,000 more to the undercover agent as a partial payment for the murder, ATF agents arrested Smiekel at a restaurant in Elgin, Ill.

Jason Smiekel's McHenry County Bar Association listing on the day of his arrest.

[See August 1, 2011, probable cause statement here.]

The plea agreement was announced today by Patrick J. Fitzgerald, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, and Andrew L. Traver, Special Agent-In- Charge of the Chicago Office of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.

The ATF’s Rockford office conducted the investigation, with the assistance of the Algonquin Police Department. A copy of the plea agreement will available at here.

The government was represented by Assistant United States Attorney John G. McKenzie.

John Beauchaine

Algonquin’s John Beauchaine was indicted today for failure to register as a sex offender.

He lives at 1955 Farmhill and was arrested by Algonquin Police.

He’s fifty-one years old.

Beauchaine is listed as a “sexual predator.”

If I read the page on the Illinois Sexual Offender Information page correctly, his crime was child pornography.

Sex offenders registered in Algonquin, Illinois

One of McHenry County Blog’s readers asks why the Algonquin Caputo’s Molotov cocktail bomber isn’t being charged with terrorism.

Interesting question.

Here’s the press release from the Algonquin Police Department:

ALGONQUIN: The Algonquin Police Department received a call of a fire on Sunday, August 21, 2011, at 12:17 pm, at Joe Caputo and Son’s Grocery Store located in the 100 block of S. Randall Rd.

An investigation revealed that the fire was started by an adult male who had thrown an incendiary device fashioned out of a bottle filled with flammable liquid amongst a large group of people standing near the delicatessen in the rear of the store.

The suspect fled the store and was chased by an adult male shopper.

The suspect was caught outside the store by the shopper and assisted by an off-duty Carpentersville Police Officer.

The suspect was taken into the custody of Algonquin Police Department officers when they arrived on the scene.

The suspect is identified as 24 year old, Fabian J. Torres. Torres resides in Sleepy Hollow, IL.

He was charged with Aggravated Arson, and will be transported to McHenry County Jail in Woodstock, IL. He is scheduled to appear in court tomorrow.

One adult male victim was injured during the incident and he was treated and released on the scene.

The amount of the damage caused to the store is unknown at this time.
The investigation into various aspects of this incident is still continuing and additional charges may be filed in the future.

A press release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office:

ALGONQUIN MAN INDICTED ON FEDERAL MURDER FOR HIRE CHARGES

Rockford – An Algonquin, Ill. man was indicted today and charged with seven counts of using interstate facilities in a murder-for-hire scheme.

The indictment alleges that between Aug. 1 and 4, 2011, JASON W. SMIEKEL, 29, of Algonquin, Illinois, used his cell phone and car with the intent that a murder-for-hire be committed.

If convicted, Smiekel faces up to 10 years of imprisonment and a $250,000 fine for each count. Smiekel is scheduled to be arraigned on the charges tomorrow, Aug. 17, 2011, at 11:00 a.m. before federal Magistrate Judge P. Michael Mahoney.

Smiekel was arrested in Elgin, Ill. on August 4, 2011, on a murder-for-hire charge.

A criminal complaint was filed against Smiekel the following morning in federal court in Rockford, charging him with using a cell phone in a murder-for-hire scheme.

The criminal complaint alleged that Smiekel was arrested in the parking lot of a restaurant in Elgin after passing $7,000 in cash to an undercover ATF special agent who was posing as a “hitman.”

The murder was purportedly scheduled to take place later that day around 5:30 p.m.

The indictment was announced today by Patrick J. Fitzgerald, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, and Andrew L. Traver, Special Agent-In-Charge of the Chicago Office of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. The ATF’s Rockford office conducted the investigation, with the assistance of the Algonquin Police Department.

A copy of the indictment will available at http://www.justice.gov/usao/iln/pr/rockford/2011/index.html.

The government was represented by Assistant United States Attorney John G.
McKenzie.

Members of the public are reminded that an indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. The defendant is entitled to a fair trial at which the government has the burden of proving that defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

An idea I first heard in the fall of 2007 from Democratic Party candidate for County Coroner David Bachmann is taking over big time under the DEA’s leadership. I first noticed the DEA program in New Jersey in September, 2010..

Here is a press release detailing which McHeny County Police Departments will have boxes for pharmaceuticals you no longer need:

Medication Take-Back Event
Saturday, April 30 – 10:00 am to 2:00 pm

McHenry County Department of Health (MCDH) encourages residents to take advantage of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency’s (DEA) program “National Take-Back Initiative” on Saturday, April 30. The one-day event is from 10:00 am – 2:00 pm, at participating law enforcement sites. A joint collaborative of public health and law enforcement departments, this initiative will provide a safe way for the public to dispose of their expired, unused and unwanted medication at no cost.

Residents can bring prescription and over-the-counter, solid dose (tablets, capsules) medications in clear, sealed plastic bags for disposal. Items not accepted include liquids, intravenous (IV) bags/solutions, injectables, needles, lancets and sharps.

Photo displays meds turned in under the OMC program on 11-14-2009. Left to right: Gerard P. McAleer, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New Jersey - announcing the Operation Medicine Cabinet, Angelo Valente, Executive Director, Partnership for Drug Free New Jersey, and Mary Pat Angelini, Assemblywomen, 11 District, New Jersey Assembly

Prescription labels should be removed (or personal information blocked out with a permanent marker) from plastic bottles before tossing into weekly curbside recycling containers. Participating drop-off sites include:

• Algonquin Police Dept., 2200 Harnish Drive-Algonquin
• Crystal Lake Police Department, 100 W Woodstock St-Crystal Lake
• Harvard Police Department, 201 W. Front St.-Harvard
• Huntley Police Department, 10911 Main Street-Huntley
• Johnsburg Police Department, 3611 N. Chapel Hill Road-Johnsburg
• Lakewood Police Department, 2500 Lake Ave.-Lakewood
• Spring Grove Police Department, 7401 Meyer Road-Spring Grove
• Woodstock Police Department, 656 Lake Ave-Woodstock

According to the DEA, rates of prescription drug abuse in the U.S. are increasing at an alarming rate, as are accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs.

Many Americans toss their unused medicines into the toilet or throw them in the trash – both potential safety and health hazards. U.S. Geological Survey studies have found traces of prescription drugs in water samples from 30 states which have been linked to ecological harm to fish and freshwater supplies.

To find collection sites near you, visit the DEA’s web page. Check often as new sites will be added daily.Additional information is available from your participating local law enforcement agency, on the MCDH webpage www.mcdh.info (Environmental Health) or by calling Kristy Hecke, MCDH’s Solid Waste Manager at 815-334-4585.

It’s not that I have any inside track.

But, when I opened the Chicago Sun-Times this morning, there was a photo of Laine next to the page 13 story of Eunice Shriver’s funeral.

He was in Massachusetts helping a young man carry the Special Olympics torch.

I was there to take photos, but I’ll allow a press release from the man who nominated Laine for the 2009 Law Enforcement Award, McHenry County State’s Attorney Lou Bianchi, explain it.

Louis A. Bianchi, McHenry County State’s Attorney, is pleased to announce that Algonquin Police Chief Russell Laine received the 2009 Law Enforcement Award presented by the Illinois State Bar Association.

State’s Attorney Louis Bianchi nominated Chief Laine for this award recognizing his truly outstanding service which brings honor and respect to the criminal justice system.

This award is an acknowledgment of Chief Laine’s many accomplishments and tireless efforts to promote a positive working relationship between law enforcement and the legal profession.

In addition to being Police Chief, Chief Laine is a licensed attorney and is currently serving as President of the International Association of Chiefs’ of Police.

He has previously served as President of the McHenry County Chiefs’ of Police Association as well as the Illinois Association of Chiefs’ of Police.

The Illinois State Bar Association Law Enforcement Award is presented to Chief Laine as recognition that the law enforcement community and legal profession share the ultimate goal of serving the public and ensuring justice through fair and partial enforcement of the law.

The Illinois State Bar Association web site explains the award like this:

“The Law Enforcement Award was created to recognize sworn law enforcement officers for conduct that promotes justice and to distinguish those individuals whose service to the public brings honor and respect to the entire criminal justice system. The award is given sparingly to recognize those who truly excel in the field of law enforcement.”

Chief Laine epitomizes this goal.

Congratulations!

= = = = =
Algonquin Police Chief Russ Laine receives an award from Illinois State Bar Association President-Elect Don O’Brien of Arlington Heights. Below, on the left, you see McHenry County State’s Attorney Lou Bianchi, his wife Jean and First Assistant State’s Attorney Tom Carroll.

McHenry County Blog has obtained a copy of the Algonquin Police Department document resulting from Huntley School Board member Aileen Seedorf’s report of a threat of physical violence from fellow board member Tony Quagliano, who serves as vice president.
what Office

McHenry County Blog obtained a report Kory Koehler wrote after his discussion with Seedorf. It’s police report 1-07-012452. The statute involved was 720 ILCS 5/26-1.

The text of the report follows:

NARRATIVE #1

ALL OTHER DOC NOW AT PD THREATENED BY ANOTHER BOARD MEMBER ON TUESDAY

NARRATIVE #2

I Officer Koehler # 1056 responded to the A.P.D. lobby for the report of what was described as a threat that had occurred in the District 158 (650 Academic) school board meeting on 13 November.

I spoke with Aileen Seedorf who related to me that after what she described as a heated discussion during a school board meeting another member of the school board named Anthony Quagliano made a statement to the effect of not verbatim: “I want to come over there and smash your heads.” Aileen related that she was not sure of the exact quote because she was so surprised by it. Aileen said the statement was directed to her and another school board member named Larry Snow.

I asked Aileen what Anthony Quagliano’s proximity was during the statement. Aileen related that Anthony was two chairs away from her while seated at a conference table, or approximately eight feet. I asked Aileen if Anthony made an aggressive posturing after the statement.

Aileen explained that she had muttered out loud, “Now I have to deal with a threat” to which Anthony responded while walking behind her “The difference is that I didn’t do anything.”

I asked Aileen if she was in fear of being battered by Anthony Quagliano. Aileen said that she was not in fear of being battered by Anthony Quagliano. Aileen told me that she did not think Anthony was going to hit her but was uneasy when he walked around her.

I asked Aileen if she was alarmed at the behavior of Anthony Quagliano and she stated that she was. Aileen also stated that this was a private school board meeting however the board is required by law to record the meeting. Aileen advised me that she had asked the Superintendent if the statement made by Anthony had been recorded. Per Aileen the Superintendent advised her that it was not recorded. Aileen told me that the meeting was in transition. It was not adjourned but some members of the board were in another room at the time of the incident.

Aileen advised that she has had problems with Anthony in the past. Aileen told me that she and Anthony had argued because Aileen was sitting where Anthony wanted to sit. Aileen advised that she did not want any investigation into this matter she only wanted it documented. It should be noted that all parties involved are adults, no further information on witnesses or Anthony Quagliano. No further action taken.

Seedorf is listed as “COMPLAINTANT” and “PERSON REPORTING INFO.”

Quagliano is listed as “SUSPECT/ARRESTEE INFORMATION.”

Three people are listed under “WITNESS INFORMATION:”

• Kevin Gentry,
• Lawrence Snow and
• Naomi Fettes

= = = = =
On the top left is Huntley School District 158 School Board member Aileen Seedorf. To her right is Tony Quagliano, who was rewarded with the vice chairmanship of the school board when he joined the ruling majority bloc after the April election.

School Board Larry Snow, one of two fellow board members Quagliano apparently physically threatened, is seem below Quagliano.

Bottom left is Kevin Gentry, who ran second to Seedorf in April’s election. He is the only majority bloc school board member in the room when Quagliano made his threat. Naomi Fettes is the district employee who prepares the meeting minutes.

Huntley School Board President Shawn Green also called Seedorf and Snow “terrorists” in the Daily Herald. As you can see below, the Northwest Herald has bent over backwards to defend Quagliano and Green.

McHenry County Blog has obtained a copy of the Algonquin Police Department document resulting from Huntley School Board member Aileen Seedorf’s report of a threat of physical violence from fellow board member Tony Quagliano, who serves as vice president.
what Office

McHenry County Blog obtained a report Kory Koehler wrote after his discussion with Seedorf. It’s police report 1-07-012452. The statute involved was 720 ILCS 5/26-1.

The text of the report follows:

NARRATIVE #1

ALL OTHER DOC NOW AT PD THREATENED BY ANOTHER BOARD MEMBER ON TUESDAY

NARRATIVE #2

I Officer Koehler # 1056 responded to the A.P.D. lobby for the report of what was described as a threat that had occurred in the District 158 (650 Academic) school board meeting on 13 November.

I spoke with Aileen Seedorf who related to me that after what she described as a heated discussion during a school board meeting another member of the school board named Anthony Quagliano made a statement to the effect of not verbatim: “I want to come over there and smash your heads.” Aileen related that she was not sure of the exact quote because she was so surprised by it. Aileen said the statement was directed to her and another school board member named Larry Snow.

I asked Aileen what Anthony Quagliano’s proximity was during the statement. Aileen related that Anthony was two chairs away from her while seated at a conference table, or approximately eight feet. I asked Aileen if Anthony made an aggressive posturing after the statement.

Aileen explained that she had muttered out loud, “Now I have to deal with a threat” to which Anthony responded while walking behind her “The difference is that I didn’t do anything.”

I asked Aileen if she was in fear of being battered by Anthony Quagliano. Aileen said that she was not in fear of being battered by Anthony Quagliano. Aileen told me that she did not think Anthony was going to hit her but was uneasy when he walked around her.

I asked Aileen if she was alarmed at the behavior of Anthony Quagliano and she stated that she was. Aileen also stated that this was a private school board meeting however the board is required by law to record the meeting. Aileen advised me that she had asked the Superintendent if the statement made by Anthony had been recorded. Per Aileen the Superintendent advised her that it was not recorded. Aileen told me that the meeting was in transition. It was not adjourned but some members of the board were in another room at the time of the incident.

Aileen advised that she has had problems with Anthony in the past. Aileen told me that she and Anthony had argued because Aileen was sitting where Anthony wanted to sit. Aileen advised that she did not want any investigation into this matter she only wanted it documented. It should be noted that all parties involved are adults, no further information on witnesses or Anthony Quagliano. No further action taken.

Seedorf is listed as “COMPLAINTANT” and “PERSON REPORTING INFO.”

Quagliano is listed as “SUSPECT/ARRESTEE INFORMATION.”

Three people are listed under “WITNESS INFORMATION:”

• Kevin Gentry,
• Lawrence Snow and
• Naomi Fettes

= = = = =
On the top left is Huntley School District 158 School Board member Aileen Seedorf. To her right is Tony Quagliano, who was rewarded with the vice chairmanship of the school board when he joined the ruling majority bloc after the April election.

School Board Larry Snow, one of two fellow board members Quagliano apparently physically threatened, is seem below Quagliano.

Bottom left is Kevin Gentry, who ran second to Seedorf in April’s election. He is the only majority bloc school board member in the room when Quagliano made his threat. Naomi Fettes is the district employee who prepares the meeting minutes.

Huntley School Board President Shawn Green also called Seedorf and Snow “terrorists” in the Daily Herald. As you can see below, the Northwest Herald has bent over backwards to defend Quagliano and Green.