Lake County, IL Judge Receives Threats for Releasing Suspect in Megan Bos Case Due to SAFE-T Act

LAKE COUNTY, Ill. (WLS) — The Lake County Sheriff’s office is investigating “significant threats” and harassment made against a sitting judge.

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Investigators said someone made threatening social media posts against the Lake County associate judge who released Jose Mendoza-Gonzalez.

Mendoza-Gonzalez was charged with concealment of a death, abuse of a corpse and obstructing justice in the death of Megan Bos in April.

On April 12, two months after Megan Bos’ death, a Lake County judge ruled he was “not charged with a detention-eligible offense.”

The judge released him, based on the SAFE-T Act, which forbids the court from holding an individual charges before trial.

“Threats of violence and intimidation against judges weaken our democracy,” a spokesperson for the 119th Judicial Circuit Court said. “Knowing what happens in court and understanding the law are essential to public trust.”

The suspect was then arrested again last week by Immigration and Custom Enforcement Officers, who say he’s been living in the country illegally.

The Lake County State’s attorney says his office is preparing a request for Mendoza-Gonzalez to be held locally rather than being deported.

According to an ICE website, he’s now been transferred, and is currently in a regional detention center in Indiana.

READ MORE | Man accused of concealing, abusing corpse of Lake County, IL woman could be deported