Homeless man charged after stabbing DeKalb man in thigh with pocket knife

SYCAMORE - A homeless man is facing charges after police say he stabbed another man in the thigh with a pocket knife in DeKalb over the weekend.

Rashawn S. Dickerson, 26, a transient of DeKalb, is charged with aggravated domestic battery and aggravated battery after police said he attacked another man, who he referred to as his roommate, Friday in the 1500 block of East Lincoln Highway.

If convicted of the most serious offense, aggravated battery, he could face up to 30 years in prison and fines up to $250,000.

Dickerson appeared in front of Circuit Court Judge Robbin Stuckert Saturday and Monday for bond call via video from the DeKalb County courthouse. Court proceedings are being limited or held virtually in an effort to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. Dickerson and the DeKalb County Sheriff's deputies in the DeKalb County Jail wore masks Monday.

According to court documents, DeKalb police responded to a complaint Friday around 10:30 a.m. and discovered the victim had been stabbed in the thigh with a pocket knife, resulting in a laceration which required the man to be taken to a hospital for treatment.

The investigation revealed the Dickerson argued with the man, referred to as his roommate, and struck him in the head, which led to a brief altercation, at which time Dickerson stabbed the man.

Dickerson was represented Monday by Public Defender Bob Nolan.

After his bond hearing was continued Saturday pending the prosecution's request for electronic home monitoring, Stuckert set Dickerson's bond at $250,000 recognizance Monday, provided he be approved for EHM due to the nature of his charges.

Dickerson's hearing was continued through Wednesday, where he will appear for a third time in front of Stuckert at 1:30 p.m. who will determine whether his new residence will be adequate for electronic home monitoring.

If released, Dickerson has been ordered not to have any contact with the victim, Stuckert said.

Dickerson has prior criminal history, including a domestic battery felony from 2019, records show.

"After my review of all of the information,"Stuckert said. "I would not be releasing him without the EHM."