Alexander County clerk charged with felony aggravated battery after alleged assault

FOX23 News at 9 p.m

ALEXANDER COUNTY, Ill. (KBSI) — The Alexander County clerk has been charged with aggravated battery in connection with an incident earlier this week, according to court records.

Zachary C. Price, 34, of Thebes, was charged Feb. 25 with aggravated battery, a Class 3 felony, and battery, a Class A misdemeanor.

The criminal complaint alleges Price struck a man who is 60 years of age or older. Under Illinois law, battery against a person age 60 or older elevates the offense to a felony. The misdemeanor charge alleges he knowingly struck the same individual without legal justification.

The case was filed by Special Prosecutor Phillip Butler of the Illinois Office of the Appellate Prosecutor’s Special Prosecution Unit. Special prosecutors are typically appointed when a conflict of interest prevents the local state’s attorney from handling a case.

Online court records show the case was filed Feb. 25. As of Thursday, no future court dates had been scheduled.

Price was appointed Alexander County clerk in 2021 and later elected to the position. He is currently listed as a candidate for another term.

All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.