A Gurnee police officer was charged with felony domestic battery Tuesday following a Winthrop Harbor police investigation, according to Gurnee police and Lake County court records.
Gurnee Police Officer Michael Stoner was placed on administrative leave once the Gurnee Police Department learned of the investigation, and will remain on leave throughout the court proceedings, according to the release.
Stoner faces two felony charges, including one for domestic battery, as well as two misdemeanor domestic battery charges, according to the release. Stoner, escorted by his attorney, turned himself in Wednesday at the Lake County jail.
Stoner was released from the Lake County jail on bond Wednesday, according to jail records.
More Top Picks Best Helm Seats
His bail had been set at $40,000 and he was ordered to have no contact with the alleged victim, her son or her father, and to turn over all firearms and ammunition in his possession to the Winthrop Harbor Police Department.
Stoner’s attorney, Joseph Zeit, who unsuccessfully requested Stoner be released on his own recognizance, said Stoner had already turned over all of his firearms to his father, had not had any contact with the woman since January and has been cooperative through the entire investigative.
Stoner is “vehemently denying these allegations,” Zeit said.
Assistant State’s Attorney Demetri Tsilimigras told a Lake County judge in bond court Wednesday that an investigation found that Stoner threatened the woman consistently since December 2016, threatened to kill her and her father, and attempted to purchase “a murder kit” containing bleach, a shovel, rope and plastic sheets on Jan. 29.
“There is threat here,” Tsilimigras said.
Attempts to reach the Winthrop Harbor Police Department Wednesday were not immediately successful. The Gurnee Police Department said there is, “no indication that these alleged offenses were committed while Officer Stoner was on duty for the Gurnee Police Department.”
“We take this matter very seriously, and will continue to cooperate any way we can,” Gurnee Police Chief Brian Smith said in the release. “We remain mindful of the fact that there is a presumption of innocence for all defendants. Therefore we will have no comment on the alleged charges and will allow the matter to proceed through the legal system.”