Jail time, anger management for man accused of choking wife

A Crystal Lake man has admitted gagging his wife with a cloth and tightening a rope around her neck during a June 2010 altercation.

Robert J. Oswald, 42, pleaded guilty to felony aggravated domestic battery this week and was sentenced to 10 days periodic imprisonment, two years probation and anger management and fined $3,429, according to court records.

McHenry County Judge Joseph Condon accepted the plea in which prosecutors dismissed a lesser charge of interfering with the reporting of domestic violence.

Police were called to the 1300 block of Fountain Green Drive at 4:38 a.m. June 27 for an altercation between Oswald and his wife, who was not seriously injured.

The couple, whose 10- and 12-year-old children were home at the time, were considering a divorce and Oswald was accused of attacking her after she said they had no chance to stay married.

The woman, who has since filed for divorce and obtained an order of protection, escaped and called police.

Oswald, according to court documents, told her he was merely trying to scare her.

If Oswald fails to complete his probation, he could be sentenced to 120 days in jail.

Oswald’s attorney could not immediately be reached for comment.