Somonauk man charged after police say he attacked a woman with physical disability

SOMONAUK – A Somonauk man is facing charges after allegedly attacking a woman with a physical disability and threatened to cut her throat with a knife, DeKalb County prosecutors say.

Gary W. Martin, 58, of the 200 block of North Green Street in Somonauk, was arrested and charged with aggravated battery, a Class 3 felony, and domestic battery, a Class A misdemeanor. If convicted of the felony charge, Martin faces up to five years in prison.

According to court documents, a woman called police at 11:55 a.m. Wednesday and told them she got into a verbal argument with Martin after he read text messages on her phone describing a past battery which allegedly occurred on New Year’s Day.

During the argument, Martin came into the bedroom and allegedly slapped the woman’s face, neck and throat, and put his hands around her throat, documents state.

“He additionally made a verbal threat to cut her throat with a knife but did not display one,” documents state. “He left the residence shortly thereafter and she called 911 at that time.”

The woman is diagnosed with multiple sclerosis and has physical disability from the disease, according to court documents.

Martin appeared in front of DeKalb County Judge Marcy Buick during for a virtual bond hearing Jan. 7 and was represented by Public Defender Tom McCulloch, according to court records.

Buick ordered Martin released on a $15,000 recognizance bond, meaning he would be released on his signature. She also ordered that he be placed on an electronic monitoring device when released and that he have no contact with the victim in the case.

Martin is due back in court 9 a.m. Feb. 24.