Illinois man arrested, charged with punching election judge in the face at polling station
On November 4, police in Orland Park, Illinois, reported on the arrest of an Illinois man who on November 3 around 11 a.m. assaulted an election official at the polling station located in the Orland Park Township Office on 14807 Ravinia Avenue. Police were called initially to check out a disturbance reported in the voting line at that polling station. Upon their arrival, officers found their assault subject, later identified as 24-year-old Daniel Schmidt of Orland Park, restrained by numerous people inside the Township office.
The police investigation revealed that Schmidt had entered the township building and walked past numerous other voters waiting in line to enter the voting area. An election judge posted at the entrance told Schmidt to go to the back of the line and wait his turn, but Schmidt refused. At that point, another election judge was called to assist. Schmidt was again instructed to go to the back of the line.
Schmidt then attempted to push past that election judge and was prevented from entering by that judge and several other employees. Schmidt began to yell profanities and punched the elderly election judge in the face, knocking his glasses off. Following that assault, several other patrons at the polling station jumped in and restrained Schmidt until officers arrived.
Schmidt also struck an 81-year-old woman and knocked her off balance, according to police and Cook County prosecutors. ~ Tribune News Service
While being placed under arrest, Schmidt also resisted arrest by the Orland Park Officers. At Orland Park Police Headquarters, the Cook County States Attorney’s Office was contacted and approved charges of:
- (2) counts of Aggravated Battery to a victim over 60 (Class 3 Felony),
- (2) counts of Aggravated Battery in a public place (Class 3 Felony),
- (5) misdemeanor counts of Resisting Arrest, and
- one misdemeanor count of Disorderly Conduct.
Schmidt was held overnight and transported to Bridgeview Courthouse for a detention hearing.
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(Cover photo, Daniel Schmidt mugshot, Image credit: Orland Park Police Department)
Posted by Richard Webster, Ace News Today
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