Woodstock man who spit in judge's face sentenced to 3 years in prison

WOODSTOCK – A Woodstock man was sentenced to three years in prison after he admitted to spitting in a McHenry County judge's face during a May court appearance.

Jonathan A. Pease, 34, pleaded guilty before Winnebago County Judge Rosemary Collins to aggravated battery, a Class 3 felony. Collins was brought in to hear the case Monday after all McHenry County judges recused themselves.

In addition to prison time, Pease will serve one year of mandatory supervised release.

Pease was already in custody on a misdemeanor charge of criminal trespass to land when he appeared before McHenry County Judge Mark Gerhardt on May 26 for a bond hearing.

He became upset at something the judge said and spit on his face and robe, authorities have said. Gerhardt held Pease in contempt of court, and he was sentenced to 360 days in jail.

All other charges against Pease were dismissed, including a charge of aggravated battery to a police officer stemming from an incident in which he was accused of throwing water at a corrections officer in the jail later that day, according to court documents.

Pease will receive credit for his time served in McHenry County Jail.