6 Prior Domestic Arrests: Joliet Man Starts 2024 In Will Co. Jail

JOLIET, IL — For the second straight year, 52-year-old Joliet Township resident William Allen has remained in the Will County Jail to begin the year. In recent days, Will County Sheriff's deputies arrest Allen on charges of aggravated domestic battery and domestic battery and a Will County judge has denied pretrial release for the east-side resident.

Will County prosecutors informed the judge that Allen's "criminal and social history tends to indicate a violent, abusive or assaultive nature. Specifically, defendant has been arrested for domestic battery on at least six prior instances."

In the latest incident, at 6:27 p.m. on Dec. 28, Will County deputies went to the Allen residence in the 300 block of Schorie for a disturbance. Deputies found Allen outside and "he stated he was in an argument" with a woman and "defendant would not elaborate what the argument was about and advised that the argument was only verbal, not physical," the prosecutors outlined.

The deputies spoke with the victim, and she told them Allen showed up at the house intoxicated and began to argue with her. She exited his bedroom and he followed her and when she turned around, Allen choked her with one hand and pushed her against the wall, court records reflect. Deputies also interviewed the woman's roommate, and he heard the two of them arguing and he saw Allen "place one of his hands around (her) neck, choking her, and pushed her against the wall."

The victim gave the deputies a written statement, but she refused medical treatment.

Will County prosecutors noted that Allen has four prior domestic battery convictions and "specifically, defendant has been arrested for domestic battery on at least six prior instances."

The woman who was attacked and choked on Dec. 28 was the same victim in six of the prior arrests, the court documents indicate.

"The people submit that the defendant's pretrial release poses a real and present threat to the safety of the named victim in this case ... as well as the community in general," wrote Charlene Recio, assistant Will County State's Attorney.