Plainfield Man Smacked Joliet Officer's Face: Complaint

JOLIET, IL - A 21-year-old Plainfield resident now finds himself in the Will County judicial system as a result of his arrest on April 26 by Joliet Police. The criminal complaint alleges that Benjamin De Francisco struck a Joliet Police officer in the officer's face.

De Francisco has been charged with aggravated battery because he "knowingly and without legal justification caused bodily harm to (the officer) knowing (the officer) to be a peace officer engaged in the performance of his official duties," the complaint reads.

De Francisco also faces two more criminal charges by the Will County State's Attorney's staff.

He was charged with aggravated assault because he "knowingly swung his arm (at the officer) thereby placing (the officer) in reasonable apprehension of receiving a battery," the charge reads.

Third, the young man from Plainfield was charged with criminal damage to property.

"Said defendant knowingly damaged property, namely a door, Budget Inn, and the damage to the property did not exceed $500," the complaint reads.

De Francisco, who lives in the 13000 block of Skyline Drive, spent three days in the Will County Jail in late April before coming up with 10 percent of his $20,000 bail, jail records indicate.