Strangling Lands Joliet Man In Jail Again: Cops

JOLIET, IL — Will County Sheriff's deputies continue to arrest 37-year-old Matthew Nero, and his latest incarceration occurred in connection with allegations he tried to strangle a woman in the 3400 block of Channahon Road in Joliet.

The Will County State's Attorney's Office has charged Nero with aggravated domestic battery, domestic battery, unlawful restraint and interfering with the reporting of domestic violence.

According to the complaint, Nero prevented the victim of the domestic violence from calling 911 in that he took her phone away from her on July 24. Nero is also accused of strangling the woman, according to the charges.

Nero also has a previous conviction for aggravated domestic battery, from just two years ago, in 2021, his court documents note. In the July 24 incident, prosecutors indicated, Nero struck the woman about the head and now "the defendant is hereby placed on notice that it is the intent of the People of the State of Illinois to seek an enhanced Class 4 sentence based upon the defendant's prior conviction for aggravated domestic battery in Will County."

As for the unlawful restraint charge, prosecutors say Nero knowingly and without legal authority detained the woman at a house in the 3400 block of Channahon road in Joliet. As for Nero, he just got out of the Will County Jail on June 27 after Will County arrested him on previous domestic battery charges May 10.

Nero was in the Will County Jail last year, from Aug. 25 until Jan. 20 of this year, related to several domestic violence incidents dating back to 2018, 2020 and 2021, jail logs show.

His latest bail was put at $50,000, and he has remained in custody since 5:30 a.m. on July 24.

In the event he posts bond, Nero must stay from the woman and her place on Channahon Road, the judge's order noted.