AURORA MAN GETS PRISON FOR CHECK FRAUD

June 28, 2017

An Aurora man is heading to prison for knowingly writing bad checks to suburban businesses and for fraudulently setting up bank accounts by using personal identifying information of multiple unwitting victims.

Matthew A. Young, 37, on Wednesday, June 28, 2017, agreed to a sentence of 11 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections in exchange for a guilty plea to two counts of continuing financial crimes enterprise, each a Class 1 felony.

In addition, Young was ordered to pay $5,799.19 in restitution. Associate Judge Linda S. Abrahamson accepted the plea.

Kane County Assistant State’s Attorney Sarah Seberger stated during the plea hearing that between February 2015 and August 2016, Young opened three checking accounts at two banks using the personal identifying information of three victims without their permission or knowledge.

Knowing that the accounts did not contain sufficient funds, Young wrote checks from the accounts to 12 local businesses as payment for items such as chain saws and lawnmowers. Young would sell the items and keep the profit. The combined value of the items he fraudulently purchased is $6,144.78.

Young was convicted multiple times in Ohio in the early 2000s of similar offenses. Also, Young was convicted in DuPage, Kane and McLean counties in Illinois in 2012 of similar offenses.

According to Illinois law, Young is eligible for day-for-day credit. He received credit for 295 days served in the Kane County jail.

The Aurora, Batavia, Elburn, Geneva, Oswego, St. Charles, Sugar Grove, and Wheaton police departments, along with the Kane and Kendall county sheriff’s investigated the case.

AURORA MAN SENT TO PRISON FOR CHOKING GIRLFRIEND IN DOMESTIC ATTACK

An Aurora man is headed to prison for battering and choking his girlfriend in their St. Charles apartment in 2015.

Kane County Associate Judge David P. Kliment on Wednesday, July 5, 2017, sentenced 25-year-old Nicholas L. Janacek to three years in the Illinois Department of Corrections.

On May 31, 2017, Judge Kliment convicted Janacek of aggravated domestic battery, a Class 2 felony, and domestic battery, a Class A misdemeanor. Janacek waived his right to a jury trial.

Kane County prosecutors presented evidence that on July 30, 2015, the victim returned to the St. Charles home she shared with Janacek. Janacek, who was intoxicated, began to argue with the victim. He then threw objects at her and struck her before he threw her onto a couch and choked her.

According to Illinois law, Janacek must serve at least 85 percent of the sentence. He receives credit for 60 days served in the Kane County jail.

Kane County Assistant State’s Attorneys Greg Sams and Amy McGowan prosecuted the case.

SOURCE: Kane County State’s Attorney’s Office news releases. To follow news releases directly from the SAO, visit the State’s Attorney’s website and Facebook page. All photos are from the KCSAO Facebook Page.