Chester Police Officer arrested
</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[A Chester Police Officer was charged with aggravated battery and unlawful restraint on Friday in Randolph County Court.
Officer Joe Swallers who serves as the Chester Police Department's K9 Officer was arrested at a residence in DuQuoin for alleged domestic battery to his wife.
According to Chester Chief of Police Don McKinney in the early morning hours on Thursday May 24, he was made aware of troubles in the Swallers household by his dispatcher Kim?Gross.
At the beginning of shift change at 7:15 a.m. on Thursday, McKinney sent officers to Swallers residence to speak with him.
"Kim had a feeling, so I sent officers out to the residence to talk to Joe. I told them to let him know I was getting mad and to straighten up," McKinney stated. "I did not talk to her (Michelle Swallers) Kim texted her early that morning and received a text back saying she would talk with the chief when she felt better.
McKinney stated on that same day at 12:15 p.m., he was called to the Chester Mental Health facility to meet with Mrs. Swallers, her supervisor and the violence prevention officer .
Approximately three hours later, at 3:00 p.m., Joe Swallers was arrested by the State Police in DuQuoin and was taken to Perry County Jail and booked.
"Around 7:00 p.m. I arrived at the Swallers residence along with the State Police and proceeded with the crime scene," McKinney said.
On Friday morning Swallers was transferred to Randolph County Court where he was read the charges against him and bond by set at $15,000 by Judge Richard Brown. Swallers paid the 10%, $1,500, and was released later that day.
McKinney noted there has been an order of protection issued in the case.
After Swallers court appearance State's Attorney Randy?Rodewald said Swallers was charged with 2 charges, the first charge being aggravated domestic battery and the second charge unlawful restraint.
"In the section of the domestic battery code, it states that is an individual strangles or chokes a victim making them lose some oxygen it is a Class II?Felony. The charge is subject to 3-7 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections, however probation is a possibility," Rodewald stated. " The second charge of unlawful restraint consists of him knowingly and without legal authority detained Mrs. Swallers by verbally threatening her and by physically restricting her movement to keep her inside the home. This charge is a Class 4 Felony subject to 1-3 years in the IDOC, however probation is a possibility.
Swallers is currently suspended with full pay and benefits according to McKinney.
McKinney stated " The Chester Police Department is still in great shape and nothing is wrong with the structure. Sorry it happened, it does not reflect or cause any problem with the department."
He added that if found guilty, Swallers would be fired. If found not guilty, his case would go before the Police Commission for review.
Swallers preliminary hearing is set for Thursday,?June 14 in Randolph County Court. He is being represented by Jeremy Walker.