The cops don't take kindly to those who try to hold them accountable. Al's story continues in his own words, with selected portions highlighted by the editor.
The only reason we include the following disclaimer is because our legal department says we must. DISCLAIMER: All of the officers and support personnel mentioned below are innocent of any criminal or civil wrongdoing until proven guilty or liable in a court of law or other properly constituted tribunal. These parties are encouraged to submit rebuttals to these charges. The following material consists solely of the personal opinions of the author, Al Shemonia, and such opinions do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Copwatch.com or its board, associates, affiliates, or members. This material is not currently presented as fact.
The story of my arrests for 'attempted eavesdropping' was published on Copwatch.com, and I was interviewed by several local and nationwide news reporters concerning this story. A nationally syndicated radio show contacted me, and I was interviewed and shared my story on a national radio show. The local newspaper here had carried my story on Wednesday, June 20, 2001 and on Friday morning June 22, Det. Stewart obtained an arrest warrant for another charge of felony burglary. This warrant was signed by Judge Engel, at the Dekalb County Courthouse.
The same day the arrest warrant was issued, I was talking to a friend in a parking lot at about 10:30 PM, when two Dekalb police vehicles pulled into the lot and three Dekalb Police officers approached me and informed me I was under arrest, as there was a felony warrant for my arrest.. This was the first I heard of the warrant. I asked what the warrant was for and was informed it was felony burglary. I cooperated and was handcuffed with my hands behind my back, and was placed in the back of a Dekalb Police vehicle to be transported to the Dekalb Police department. I was led into the booking room where I was photographed and fingerprinted. After a while I was again placed into a Dekalb Police vehicle to be transported to the Dekalb County jail in Sycamore, IL.
While enroute to the Dekalb County jail, I advised the officer that I was experiencing severe heart palpitations, and that I had a documented history of heart disorders. I advised that I wished to be seen by a Doctor as soon as possible. The Officer stated that I should inform the jail staff of the problem when I arrived, and they would provide me with access to a doctor.
When I arrived at the jail, I informed the staff that I was experiencing severe heart palpitations, and by now I was feeling light-headed and nauseous from it. I also explained that I had a documented history of heart problems, and had been hospitalized in the past for the problem. My request to see a doctor was ignored, and I was placed in a holding cell for an unknown amount of time.
I then requested to use a telephone to contact a family member or Attorney. I was brought to a phone and left alone. I called my girlfriend, Jennifer Mirotznik, and spoke to her, Steven House and Juan Villa who were at Jennifer's home at the time. I advised them of the problems I was experiencing with my heart and requested that they call the jail and inform them that I had a history of heart problems. Steven house then called the Dekalb County jail and informed the staff that I did indeed have a documented history of heart problems, and requested that I be allowed to see a doctor as I was currently experiencing severe palpitations. Steven house was told that I would be observed to see if any problems ensued. I was then processed in the booking room, photographed and fingerprinted. At this time I again requested to be seen by a Doctor, as I was extremely dizzy and lightheaded. Again my request went ignored, and I did not receive even a verbal response to my request.
After the booking process was complete, I was led to a room where I was strip searched and changed into a jail uniform. I was then taken to cellblock C where I was placed in cell # 4. This was sometime around 12:00 or 1:00 AM. I remained awake the rest of the night, as I would get extremely dizzy and lightheaded when I laid flat and closed my eyes. I Hung a towel over the end of the bunk, as to create a wall to shield my eyes from the light outside my cell, as I was now experiencing a pounding headache. I was never checked on by a guard or any jail staff. Breakfast was served at 6:30 AM, and it was about this time that my heartbeat returned to normal and I began to feel much better. For the following two days, my chest and sides felt sore, as if bruised.
At 9:00 AM I appeared before Judge Klein via CCTV at the jail, and was advised of the charges against me. Judge Klein asked if I had any pending cases against me, and I informed him that I was currently on a bond of $50,000.00 of which I had posted $5000.00. I advised that this was an additional charge to the prior, from the same investigation. Judge Klein consulted the States Attorney as to why a warrant was issued for my arrest, instead of I being notified of the additional charge at my upcoming court date, and the States Attorney advised that he was not sure. I explained that I had never missed any court dates and had abided by the conditions of my bond release. Judge Klein then ordered me held until Monday morning when I would appear before Judge Engel, as he had signed the warrant.
On Monday morning at 9:00 AM I appeared before Judge Engel via CCTV at the jail. I was again informed of the charges against me, and informed that the bond amount would remain at $30,000.00 with 10% to apply. Judge Engel then appointed the Public Defenders office to represent me for bond reduction hearing purposes only. I was then rescheduled to appear the following morning for the purpose of a bond reduction motion.
On Tuesday morning at 9:00 AM I appeared before Judge Engel via CCTV at the jail. Judge Engel asked if I was able to post bond in the amount of $3000.00. I responded that I was not able to post that amount, at which time Judge Engel denied my motion for a bond reduction. I was then informed my case was being continued until July 20, 2001 at 1:30 PM.
I was then led from the CCTV courtroom to be placed in a room where the prisoners are held to await return to their cells. As I approached the door to this waiting room, the guard raised his elbow and turned swiftly, knocking me in the right eye with enough force to knock me down. I rose from the floor, stunned, and the guard stated quietly "are you gonna report me too"? I did not attempt to obtain the deputy's name, out of fear of future incidents. This blow to my eye swelled and turned into a dark bruise under my eye. I refused to speak to anybody over the telephone about this incident, as telephone conversations are monitored and I was fearful of future assaults such as this. Jennifer Mirotznik and Steven House visited me that evening, and I wrote what happened on a piece of paper so they could read it. I did not want to verbally state what occurred, again for fear that my conversation was monitored and I would be subject to more assault in retaliation for telling someone about it.
On Friday, June 29, 2001, The same friend who had previously posted my $5000.00 bond, scraped enough cash together and wired it to Jennifer Mirotznik, who came to the jail and posted bond in the amount of $3010.00 ($3000.00 bail/$10.00 processing fee) and I was released.
Al Shemonia
DISCUSSION FORUM
