'She Was Experiencing A Lot Of Pain And Felt Like She Was Going To Die': Joliet Man Faces 9 Criminal Charges

JOLIET, IL — A 27-year-old Joliet man, Joseph Caffey, spent his weekend in the Will County Jail following his arrest by Joliet police on nine criminal charges — aggravated battery, two counts of unlawful possession of a controlled substance-heroin, five counts of domestic battery and one charge of aggravated assault.

The Will County State's Attorney's Office of Jim Glasgow filed a petition to deny pretrial release against Caffey, but Will County weekend Judge Art Smigielski ruled against it and ordered the Joliet inmate released from the jail.

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Everything happened on Friday evening, just before the sun went down.

According to the prosecutors, at 7:30 p.m., Joliet police were sent to the defendant's house in the 800 block of Croghan Avenue for a domestic battery with injuries. Croghan is near West Park.

A woman at the scene told the officers she was "rolling up" some marijuana cannabis for her and Caffey to smoke.

"When she went to let him know that it was ready, Defendant was on the phone with his brother and seemed upset over an argument the two of them were having," court files show. "She noticed a bottle of alcohol at the end of the bed and asked him to move it so that it did not spill. This upset defendant and as he approached her, he stated, 'It's always something with you.'"

That's when the violence began.

"Defendant then pushed the victim," prosecutors revealed. "She pushed back and told him to stop. Defendant then grabbed her by the throat. She described it more as a push to the throat. In self- defense, the victim punched Defendant at which point Defendant punched her with closed fists to her face. The two fell onto the bed and while Defendant was on top of the victim, he grabbed her by the throat and punched her 2 more times in the eye. She began to shout for her parents."

According to the prosecution, "During the time Defendant had her by the throat she stated that she was experiencing a lot of pain and felt like she was going to die. She couldn't recall if she could breathe. At this point, the victim's parents got to the bedroom and Defendant got off the victim."

Joliet Ambulance Takes Victim To Hospital

When the female victim went to her kitchen, Caffey tried to follow her, so she went into the bathroom and tried to lock herself there. Prosecutors noted that the victim and defendant have dated and lived together about nine years.

A Joliet Fire Department ambulance took the woman to the hospital to her injuries which included a laceration to her left eye, swelling/blue and purple bruising to her left eye. Her injuries did require stitches, court records show.

As for Caffey, when Joliet's officers arrived at the location, the defendant was attempting to leave with a backpack on.

"Defendant stated that he has endured trauma and violence from the victim in the past. Officers were having difficulties speaking with him due to Defendant being on a voice chat and when asked to hang up his phone, Defendant refused to do," prosecutors pointed out to Judge Smigieilski.

Meanwhile, the victim's 65-year-old father, who lives in the house where his daughter was screaming and being hurt, relayed the following information to Joliet police:

"He placed his hands on Defendant's stomach to create distance between the Defendant and (her). Defendant then grabbed (him) by the throat and pushed him against the wall. (He) has been living at the residence for approximately 5-7 years and considered them to be roommates. He did not wish to fill out the complaint of domestic violence form but wished to pursue charges."

As far as the heroin charges, while Joliet police searched the defendant's belongings, including the backpack he was wearing upon officers arriving, a zip lock bag was located, which contained 3 clear plastic containers. Two of which had residue that was unable to be tested. The other one's contents were tested and had a positive reaction to the suspected presence of fentanyl and heroin and had a presumptive weight of 0.25 grams, court files show.

In the end, Judge Smigielski ruled in favor of the Joliet criminal defendant, authorizing his release from custody. Caffey was notified to stay away from 802 Corghan Avenue as well as the three people considered victims during his violent outburst: the woman and both of her parents.

"Shall be allowed to get personal belongings one time with a police escort present," Judge Smigielski instructed as part of his order.