Man In Standoff Threatened To Hold Gun To Teen's Head: Police

MCHENRY, IL – A 55-year-old man remains in jail following a domestic incident that lead to a standoff and the evacuation of homes and business in McHenry over the weekend. Bond has been set at $30,000 for William B. Cheatham who is charged with a felon possessing a firearm, assault and disorderly conduct. Cheatham's girlfriend, Jami Stefko, said authorities were called Saturday night after Cheatham became angry that Stefko's teenage daughter invited people over to the house. He then threatened to put a gun to the 17-year-old's head, the Northwest Herald reports.

Stefko and her daughter were able to safely get out of the home before authorities arrived to Cheatham's home at 1004 N. Front Street, Unit A, in McHenry at about 8:30 p.m. on Saturday. Cheatham, however, retreated back into the home and did not respond to police, according to a news release from the McHenry Police Department.

While investigating, police learned Cheatham was a convicted felon who had numerous firearms. They got a search warrant and, with the help of the Emergency Services Team of the Northern Illinois Police Alarm System, entered the home and took Cheatham into custody without incident, according to the news release. During the search of the home, investigators recovered thirteen long guns, two handguns and numerous rounds of ammunition.

During the incident, authorities closed Route 31 (Front Street) for about four hours and also evacuated several homes and businesses in the area, police said. Authorities said no one was injured and the incident was isolated to Cheatham's home.

Cheatham was convicted in 2012 of his third DUI, which is a Class 2 felony, according to online McHenry County court records.

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