Charges dropped against three in Aurora fight
It’s tough to get an internship these days, let alone one at a law office as a paralegal if you have a felony arrest on your record.
That’s why Amisha L. Chenault of Aurora is working to get her 2010 arrest expunged from her record after prosecutors dropped felony aggravated battery and mob action charges against her last month.
“I’m so enthused, I don’t know what to do with myself,” said Chenault, 32, who is studying at Robert Morris University to become a paralegal. “I’m happy it’s all over and I can go back to school without this hanging over my head.”
Chenault and two of her friends — Britini Smith, 22, of Naperville, and Danny R. Dillard, 28, of Aurora — were arrested and charged after an altercation July 30, 2010 behind Dillard’s home in the 100 block of South Lake Street on Aurora’s west side.
The felony charges carried a top prison term of five years, but probation also was an option.
Prosecutors on Aug. 26 dismissed the charges against all three; Chenault said her attorney told her that her accuser gave authorities three different stories.
Chenault said she and her friends were trying to make peace and break up an altercation that they didn’t start.
Aurora run comes up big: A 5K run organized by Aurora police Sgt. Doug Podschweit to raise money for Special Olympics Illinois netted nearly $4,000.More than 230 runners and 11 police and fire teams competed last month at Blackberry Farms in Aurora to raise $3,830. The #147;Run for the Athletes 5K#148; has been held for the past four years.It also spotlighted the second annual Police vs. Fire 5K Challenge pitting teams of police officers against firefighters.The Joliet Fire Department took home this year#146;s first-place trophy in the challenge of the first responders with the Aurora Police and Fire departments tying for second place. The events were co-sponsored by the Fox Valley Park District, Special Olympics Illinois and Blackberry Farm.So far, Aurora police have raised about $11,000 this year for Special Olympics. Their goal is $15,000.An app you hope to never use: The FBI recently released a free Child ID app, which is the first mobile application created by the agency. It#146;s designed to provide a quick and accessible place to electronically store photos and vital information with a click of a button.The Child ID app is only available for use on iPhones and iPads and can only be downloaded for free from the App Store on iTunes.You hope you#146;ll never have to use it, but it could be a lifesaver at the mall or a festival to quickly alert the right people to help.hhitzeman@dailyherald.com