Former Arlington Heights police officer charged with battery of female relative in Algonquin

Michael B. Cowsert

An Algonquin man and former Arlington Heights police officer pleaded not guilty Friday to charges alleging that he caused bodily harm to a female relative and fractured her hand.

Michael B. Cowsert, 50, of the 1300 block of Stone Gate Road, has been charged with aggravated domestic battery, a Class 2 felony; unlawful restraint, a Class 4 felony; and four counts of domestic battery, Class A misdemeanors, according to the indictment filed in the McHenry County courthouse.

Should he be found guilty of the most serious charge, unlawful restraint, he faces between one and three years in prison and four years of mandatory supervised release. The conviction also is probational and would require that Cowsert spend 60 days in the county jail.

Cowsert is accused of grabbing, pushing and holding down the relative Aug. 14, fracturing her hand, according to the indictment.

Cowsert resigned from the Arlington Heights Police Department on Sept. 27. He started as a police officer with the village in 1996, Arlington Heights Deputy Police Chief Greg Czernecki said.

Cowsert also is the owner of an accident scene investigation and reconstruction company. On Friday, he requested a modification to his bond to allow him to travel out of state for work. A decision on the matter was continued until Oct. 20.

Attempts to reach his defense attorney Friday were not immediately successful.