Man faces threatening public official charge in Williamson County
CRAINVILLE, Ill. (KBSI) – A man faces charges after sheriff’s deputies responded to a disturbance report in Crainville.
John D. Thomas faces charges of threatening a public official (Class 3 felony) and resisting/obstructing a peace officer (Class A mideameanor).
Williamson County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to the report of a disturbance at 1615 Landing Drive in Crainville at 3:38 a.m. on Sunday, December 17.
The business at this address is commonly referred to as a “hookah” bar, according to the sheriff’s office.
It has been observed operating irregular hours of operation, opening on random nights around 2 a.m. and continuing to have crowds and music until 5 a.m. or later, according to sheriff’s deputies.
Deputies saw a large crowd in the parking lot and tried to restore order. They say the crowd was non-compliant, argued and obstructed law enforcements efforts.
While law enforcement tried to handle the incident, a large crowd continued to advance on officers, filming with cell phones, yelling, and not responding to lawful commands to stay back and allow officers to perform their duties, according to the sheriff’s office.
Williamson County Sheriff Jeff Diederich arrived on scene and approached the door man “bouncer” to ask who was in charge. He said “that guy” and pointed at a man who was walking toward the sheriff.
Sheriff Diederich recognized the man as John D. Thomas from prior police contact.
Thomas is known to have been engaged in past criminal activity including extensive weapons offenses, according to the sheriff’s office.
He identified himself as the owner of the business.
Sheriff Diederich told Thomas that law enforcement had responded to disturbances and other criminal activity at this location numerous times.
He was told that if he is going to run this business, he needs to do so lawfully and take responsibility to prevent patrons from causing disturbances, excessive intoxication, and other activities requiring a law enforcement response, according to deputies at the sheriff’s office.
While speaking to Thomas outside in the parking lot a new disturbance could be heard happening inside the business that sounded like multiple people fighting.
Thomas became agitated and started saying to Sheriff Diederich, “You don’t want to do this” and “You don’t know who you’re messing with”and “You’re going to wish you didn’t mess with me,” according to the sheriff’s office.
Sheriff’s deputies say Thomas continued to make more specific threats to the sheriff including, “I’m telling you this is going to go really bad for you… you don’t want this…. You’re going to get &$@#&# up”.
Sheriff Diederich told Thomas he was under arrest for threatening a public official.
Multiple deputies and officers rushed to assist. Thomas was arrested
Deputies continued to handle the disturbance found a female in the parking lot who initially claimed she had been battered by a male.
A suspect was later found hiding on the south side of the building. He initially tried to conceal his identification and leave, but surrendered, according to the sheriff’s office.
After extensive investigation it was determined that the female was highly intoxicated, showed no signs of injury, and had been arguing with friends who were trying to prevent her from driving.
During past occurrences, as well as during this time, law enforcement says they saw patrons who appeared intoxicated, the strong odor of cannabis emitting from the property including patrons, vehicles, and the business entrance.
During this time, deputies searching inside the business for the battery suspect, smelled the strong odor of cannabis and numerous people who appeared to be consuming alcoholic type beverages. There were numerous cups, bottles, and other items consistent with the consumption of alcoholic beverage observed throughout the business, according to the sheriff’s deputies.
“We continue to deal with unlicensed establishments having alcoholic beverages on premise,” said Williamson County Sheriff Jeff Diederich. “We have seen a pattern where unlicensed establishments, operating during the early morning hours, combined with large crowds continues to result in disturbance calls creating a serious public safety issue”.
