The man charged with aggravated battery to an off-duty police officer in connection with an incident in the Evanston Public Library on Jan. 9 might have his charges dropped, according to the man’s lawyer.
Daniel Altamirano-Sanchez, 31, was released from the Cook County Jail Wednesday morning but missed his 9 a.m. court date on Friday. No arrest warrant has been issued. If he misses his next court date on May 15, a warrant will be issued, said Circuit Court Judge Paul Pavlus.
The prosecutor, assistant state’s attorney Nancy Nazarian, is considering dropping the case or reducing the charges because the library security guard, Abah Antonio, has a history of misconduct at the Niles Police Department, said Marni Share, Altamirano-Sanchez’ public defender.
“I believe the [former] officer is currently in some trouble for a report he filed before he resigned,” Share said. “I don’t have all the details but it’s something where it would affect his credibility if he were to testify. The state is taking that into consideration, making an offer or deciding to drop this altogether.”
Prosecutors did not respond to emails and phone calls seeking comment in time for the deadline for this story.
Antonio gave conflicting stories about incidents and had six use-of-force incidents within his one year employment at the Niles Police Department, the RoundTable reported. Niles Police Commander Kelly Eckardt reviewed the Jan. 9 incident footage and recommended Antonio be fired. Antonio resigned from that department on Feb. 1. Antonio was suspended one day from the library for bringing a firearm to the library on Jan. 9.
Share said the state’s attorney’s office may choose to continue pursuing the case if Altamirano doesn’t show up at his next court date.