McHenry County Blog

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

JOLIET MAN SENTENCED TO 10 YEARS IN PRISON FOR SETTING FIRE IN 2007 TO HOME OF NEIGHBORING AFRICAN-AMERICAN FAMILY

CHICAGO — An admitted white-supremacist was sentenced today to the maximum of 10 years in federal prison for violating the civil rights of an African-American family whose home he set on fire after they moved onto his block in 2007.

The defendant, BRIAN JAMES MOUDRY, pleaded guilty in January of this year and agreed to the 10-year sentence, admitting that at approximately 4 a.m. on June 17, 2007, he carried a can containing gasoline to the home, splashed the gasoline on the residence and ignited it.

No one was injured, although the home was occupied by eight children, ranging in age from 4 to 14, and an adult at the time of the fire.

Moudry, 36, formerly of the 300 block of South Reed Street, Joliet, pleaded guilty to using fire to interfere with the victims’ housing rights on the basis of race. He has been in federal custody since he was arrested on May 30, 2012.

U.S. District Judge Robert Gettleman imposed the agreed maximum sentence and ordered Moudry to undergo mental health and substance abuse treatment. He also ordered Moudry to pay $7,108 in restitution to cover damage to the residence and to reimburse the Joliet Fire Department.

“This was an exceptionally despicable crime motivated by hate. The victims of the arson did nothing, but move into a new residence in Joliet. Unbeknownst to the victims, several houses down lived a white supremacist who never knew the victims but hated them because they were African American,” the government argued in a sentencing memo.

“There is nothing we do as federal prosecutors that’s more important, not to mention more satisfying, than vindicating the rights of our fellow citizens, whatever their race, ethnicity, or religious background, to live in peace and security,” said Gary S. Shapiro, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois.

“One of the FBI’s top priorities is safeguarding the rights of all Americans. This case demonstrates our commitment to investigate and bring to justice those whose hatred of others leads them to violate civil rights,” said Cory B. Nelson, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

In pleading guilty, Moudry admitted that he was upset that an African-American family rented a house at 318 South Reed St., in May 2007 on the same block as his house.

He admitted that he set the fire because African-Americans were occupying the home, and that he intended to interfere with their continued ability to rent the residence and to intimidate the owner from continuing to rent to African-Americans.
The government was ­represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Nancy DePodesta and Steven Dollear.

A press release from the McHenry County Sheriff’s Department:

Sheriff’s Office Makes Arrests in Barn Fires Investigation

Sheriff Keith Nygren announced today the arrest of two 17 year old males responsible for multiple fires in the rural McHenry County area.

Since May 29, 2012, the Sheriff’s Office has experienced six fires in rural Woodstock, Marengo and Harvard involving hay barns. In addition to the fires in McHenry County, Kane and Boone Counties and Lakewood have also experienced barn fires in their respective jurisdictions.

An anonymous tip from the public resulted in the identification of two suspects.

The two males were interviewed on Friday, August 10, 2012 and admitted to their involvement with the fires along with multiple criminal acts within the City of Crystal Lake.

The fires covered a span of over sixty days and over an estimated one million dollars in property damage.

The two suspects have been charged as adults for

• arson
• criminal damage to propert
• criminal trespass to property

for five fires.

The investigation is continuing and additional charges may be forthcoming.

Along with the Sheriff’s Office,

• Crystal Lake PD
• McHenry County Conservation Police
• Huntley PD
• Algonquin PD
• Cary PD
• Crystal Lake Fire
• Woodstock Fire
• Algonquin Fire
• Marengo Fire
• Huntley Fire
• SEECOM
• ATF,and
• the Illinois State Fire Marshall

assisted in the investigation.

Following is a list of the fires the McHenry County Sheriff’s Office has linked to the 17 year olds:

• 13900 Block of Harmony Rd., Marengo (sic) Date of Fire: 06/29/2012 10:36 P.M.
• 13900 Block of Pleasant Valley Rd., Woodstock Date of Fire: 07/10/2012 10:06 P.M.
• 11800 Block of Pleasant Valley, Rd., Lakewood Date of Fire: 07/03/2012 9:59 P.M.
• 2500 Block of River Rd., Marengo Date of Fire: 07/23/2012 11:25 A.M.
• 9800 Block of Lucas Rd., Crystal Lake Date of Fire: 07/24/2012 9:20 P.M.

Arrested: Charges:
Joseph Gerdes, 17 years old Arson (Class 2)
868 Coventry Criminal Damage to Property (Class 3)
Crystal Lake, IL Criminal Trespass to Property (Class A)

Andrew Wiegand, 17 years old Arson (Class 2)
1472 Bridgedale Rd Criminal Damage to Property (Class 3)
Crystal Lake, IL Criminal Trespass to Property (Class A)

The charges against the above named defendants are merely allegations against him. The above named defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.

= = = = =
The Crystal Lake Police Department adds this information:
“On August 11, 2012, Crystal Lake Police were notified by McHenry County Sheriff’s of two juvenile subjects that were in custody for a series of barn fires surrounding the McHenry County area, including a barn fire on Lucas Road that was within the Crystal Lake City limits.

“Working in conjunction with the McHenry County Sheriff’s Office, Crystal Lake Police were able to establish that the same two subjects were also responsible for setting fire to

• a couch that was left out for trash removal on the parkway in the 1300 block of Loch Lomond Drive and
• a mattress set on fire that was also left out on the parkway in the 1400 block of Candlewood Drive.

“Both fires occurred during the evening hours of June 12, 2012.

“Additionally, Crystal Lake Police also were able to link the two subjects to five separate acts of Tampering with a Fire Hydrant (Class B Misdemeanors) on Bedford Drive and Sutherland Drive where five fire hydrants were opened, all within residential neighborhoods. These incidents occurred on June 26, 2012, during the evening hours.

“Crystal Lake Police will review these additional findings with the McHenry County State’s Attorney Office regarding criminal charges.

“Both male juveniles are residents of Crystal Lake.”

A press release from the Crystal Lake Police Department about cars being set on fire in the subdivision just north of Hannah Beardsley Middle School:

Fire Investigations: Primrose Lane and Talcott Drive

On Monday, August 6th, 2012 at approximately 5:00am Crystal Lake Police and Fire responded to a report of a car fire in the 0-100 block of Talcott Drive.

Upon arrival, officers observed a Chevrolet SUV, parked in the driveway immediately adjacent to the single-family home, fully engulfed in flames.

A boat parked next to the SUV also was on fire.

Officers immediately evacuated the residents.

Crystal Lake Fire personnel extinguished the fire.

The SUV and boat were destroyed by the fire.

The home and a Chevrolet truck parked nearby sustained some damage due to the heat of the fire.

While on the scene of the Talcott Drive fire, officers were alerted to another event in the nearby 600 block of Primrose Lane.

The Primrose Lane resident reported unknown offender(s) had entered his Jeep and attempted to set it on fire.

The fire did not spread and little damage was sustained.

Another vehicle, a Toyota, parked in the same driveway had been unlawfully entered.

During the initial police investigation, officers were approached by another resident of the 0-100 block of Talcott Drive.

The resident reported someone had set her vehicle, a Buick, on fire, which resulted in some moderate damage.

No injuries were sustained as a result of any of the fires.

The investigation is active and ongoing.

Anyone with information relating to this investigation is asked to contact the Crystal Lake Police Department at 815 356-3620 or Crime Stoppers at (800) 762-STOP (7867) for those who wish to remain anonymous. Crime Stoppers does pay cash rewards for information leading to the arrest of any individual.

A press release from the McHenry County State’s Attorney’s Office:

CARRIE GIL SENTENCED TO 14 YEARS IN THE ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS FOR THE OFFENSES OF ATTEMPT FIRST DEGREE MURDER AND AGGRAVATED ARSON

Louis A. Bianchi, McHenry County State’s Attorney, announces that Carrie Gil, 46, formerly of Crystal Lake, was sentenced to 14 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections for the offense of Attempt 1st Degree Murder and 12 years for the offense of Aggravated Arson.

This case was investigated by the Crystal Lake Police and Fire Departments with assistance from the State Fire Marshal’s Office and United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

The Illinois State Police provided experts to explain the use of an accelerant to start the fire and to associate paint from inside the residence to graffiti on the garage and screen doors outside the house.

The investigation also revealed multiple death spells within the defendant’s laptop computer which matched verbatim with handwritten notes linked to the defendant by a forensic document examiner from the Illinois State Police.

The case was prosecuted by David Johnston and Sharyl Eisenstein of the McHenry County State’s Attorney’s Office.

The sentences will run concurrently and the Defendant will be required to serve 85 % of the sentencing term pursuant to truth in sentencing provisions.

A message from the McHenry County Sheriff’s Department:

Currently Investigating several rural barn fires. MCSO looks to community for assistance in reporting suspicious persons/ activity

Sheriff Keith Nygren announced today the active investigation of multiple fires in the rural McHenry County area. Since May 29, 2012, there have been several fires in rural Woodstock, Marengo, Huntley, and Harvard involving hay barns. In addition to the fires in McHenry County: Kane County and Boone County have also experienced barn fires in their respective jurisdictions.

The McHenry County Sheriff’s Office is working in conjunction with neighboring county, local police and fire departments and the state fire marshal. The investigation to determine cause and origin and possible criminal activity is ongoing. To date, one fire in the 22500 block of River Road is deemed to be suspicious in nature.

The following is a list of the fires the McHenry County Sheriff’s Office is investigating:

• 1100 Block of N Queen Anne Rd, Woodstock. Date of Fire: 05/29/2012 7:26 PM
• 11100 Block of Payne Rd, Marengo Date of Fire: 06/05/2012 1:32 PM
• 18400 Block of Lincoln Rd, Harvard Date of Fire: 06/28/2012 3:10 PM
• 13900 Block of Harmony Rd, Marengo Date of Fire: 06/29/2012 10:36 PM
• 13911 Block of Pleasant Valley Rd, Woodstock Date of Fire: 07/10/2012 10:06 PM
• 22500 Block of River Rd, Marengo Date of Fire: 07/23/2012 11:25 AM

The Sheriff’s Office wants to make sure that the rural farming community is aware of this information.

We encourage suspicious activities to be reported immediately and appreciate the support from our community.

Sheriff Keith Nygren requests that anyone with information regarding this investigation contact either the McHenry County Crime Stoppers Tip Line at 1-800-762-STOP (7867), The McHenry County Sheriff’s Office Tip Line at 815-338-2144, or the tip line email address: TipLine@co.mchenry.il.us

Callers can remain anonymous and may be eligible for a reward up to $1,000.00 for information leading to the arrest and prosecution of the offender(s). Crimestoppers does not use caller ID. For full details, view this message on the web.

= = = = =

My political antenna points out that Undersheriff Andrew Zinke’s name is not mentioned above.

A press release from the McHenry County State’s Attorney’s Office:

CARRIE GIL CONVICTED OF ATTEMPT FIRST DEGREE MURDER, AGGRAVATED ARSON AND RESIDENTIAL ARSON

Louis A. Bianchi, McHenry County State’s Attorney, announces that Carrie Gil, 46, formerly of Crystal Lake, was found guilty, after a three hour jury deliberation, of the offenses of Attempt 1st Degree Murder, Aggravated Arson and Residential Arson.

This case was investigated by the Crystal Lake Police and Fire Departments with assistance from the State Fire Marshal’s Office and United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

The Illinois State Police provided experts to explain the use of an accelerate to start the fire and to associate paint from inside the residence to graffiti on the garage and screen doors outside the house.

The investigation also revealed multiple death spells within the defendant’s laptop computer which matched verbatim with handwritten notes linked to the defendant by a forensic document examiner from the Illinois State Police.

The case was prosecuted by David Johnston and Sharyl Eisenstein of the McHenry County State’s Attorney’s Office.

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.

I’ll be looking at Friday’s Chicago newspapers to see if the political arson at the Chicago Tea Party Patriots at Dugan’s Irish Pub in Chicago last Friday night.

Thursday, the Chicago Bomb and Arson Department informed the Tea Party organization that

“four devices, which appeared to be roadside flares, were taped together and left lit and smoldering in the trash can of the men’s bathroom. On the lid of the toliet seat, written in red, it read:  F#CK THE CHICAGO TEA PARTY  “

The press release below from the group follows:

ARSON AT CHRISTMAS PARTY

*Come to the “We Will Not Be Silenced Do-Over Christmas & New Year Party”

We were the target of an arson Friday at our Christmas Party.

At approximately 8 p.m. smoke began to fill the rooms of Dugan’s Irish Pub where we hosting our Christmas Party.

The entire bar soon became engulfed with thick, heavy smoke and the bar was evacuated. Within moments the Chicago Fire and Police arrived and began to clear and secure the premises.

We were detained outside while firemen cleared the bar. After waiting an hour outside, with other dozens of other bar patrons, we were allowed back in to gather our belongings. The bar was covered in soot and patrons had great difficulty in breathing. Bar management had to close the bar for the night, thus losing revenue during the busy Christmas season.

Tuesday I received a phone call from detectives from the Chicago Bomb and Arson Department who informed me that four devices, which appeared to be roadside flares, were taped together and left lit and smoldering in the trash can of the men’s bathroom. On the lid of the toilet seat, written in red, it read:  F#CK THE CHICAGO TEA PARTY

Bomb and arson police have deemed this an arson and are now investigating.

To those who came to Friday’s party — THANK YOU!  To those who we missed because you came after the bar closed — THANK YOU AND I’M SORRY WE MISSED YOU!!  To those who were unable to make the party, here’s your 2nd chance!!

Because the devices were left in the bathroom it will be difficult to deduce who is the offender from videos and because nobody was killed or harmed (thankfully), fingerprints will not be processed for anywhere from six months to a year.  However, if an offender is found, they will be charged with a felony.

Incidentally, a “We Will Not Be Silenced Do-Over Christmas & New Year Party” will be held Friday, January 7th, at Dugan’s Irish Bar, 128 South Halsted Street in Chicago, 5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

The missive was signed by Catherina Wojtowicz.

David Bachmann writes the blog entitled “Dirty Harry vs. Dirty Keith” strays from his criticism of McHenry County Sheriff Keith Nygren today.

He lives in Galena Territory and has a handy camera to take photos of those visiting the place…at least of their cars.

A lot of influential types from the Chicago area make the trip.

The day news was breaking about the discovery of a girl’s body in a wooden area next to campus, two NIU cars were at the resort called the Eagle Ridge Inn.

Co-ed Antinette “Toni” Keller disappeared last week, sending chills up and down the spines of the university student parents. Just in is news that the burned body found is hers.

Upon examination, he found “there was a full blown ‘Luncheon’ going on for the University Types.”

A second story publishes the first photos of a Galena Territory home that was torched, killing the couple inside.  James and Margaret Marnowski died in the fire.  Little progress seems to have been made in solving the crime.

I guess I should mention that those following the Sheriff’s race also read Zane Seipler’s blog “McHenry County Sheriff’s Department Exposed.” That blog will disappear as soon as Nygren decides to rehire Seipler, because it is against standing orders for deputies to to opine.

Seipler won that from an arbitrator, which was upheld by a Circuit Court Judge. Nygren is now deciding whether to appeal that loss to the Appellate Court. Zeipler reports today that the deadline in October 28th, five days before the election.