War Veteran May Go To Jail After Crazed Waukegan Illinois Police Officers Charge Man With Pointing His Finger - Our Tax Dollars At Work
Posted by Admin
Posted 6/10/08
WAUKEGAN, ILLINOIS - Greg Kachka never thought that asking a question during a village board meeting could have him arrested and thrown in jail.
Kachka, 60, of Island Lake, pleaded not guilty Monday to disorderly conduct charges in Lake County Circuit Court.
Kachka was arrested at his home after attending a March 13 Island Lake board meeting, where he was accused of making threatening gestures toward board members.
“I don’t know what I did,” Kachka told The News-Sun on Monday following his arraignment hearing. “I think it is somewhat wrong that I could be in court for something I said at a meeting. I was just talking with my hands.”
If convicted, Kachka faces 30 days in jail and $1,500 in fines.
Trustee Debbie Herrmann and Village Clerk Christy Kaczmarek filed a complaint with the Island Lake Police Department claiming Kachka pointed his finger at them as if he was fashioning a handgun.
Kachka, a Vietnam War veteran, was wearing a shirt with the image of a Marine Corps sniper on the front and the words: “Don’t move. If You Run, You Will Only Die Tired.”
Kachka said he only pointed his finger after Herrmann made a face at him following a question he asked about village finances.
Angered by the events that led to Kachka’s arrest, concerned residents protested in front of Lake County Building Monday morning saying the former Marines’ First Amendment rights were violated.
Citizens for Better Government in Island Lake representative Tom Martin said he was displeased that the village would pursue charges against a person who did not pose a serious threat.
In an effort to assist with legal fees, replicas of the shirt Kachka wore at the board meeting are being sold and the actual shirt he wore will be auctioned on eBay.
A Fifth Third Bank account is also set up in Kachka’s name to help with the pending expenses.
“It feels great that so many people have supported me through this,” Kachka said. “This has been unexpected.