Ex-Geneva High student gets probation for email threat

A judge sentenced a 19-year-old to 30 months probation and GPS monitoring Thursday after his conviction earlier this year for sending an email threat to a third party in which he said he wanted a Geneva High School dean to “suffer and die.”

Daniel T. Diomedes, formerly of Geneva and now of St. Charles, was convicted this spring of sending the threat, via third party, on April 26, 2011.

The felony charge carried a sentence ranging from probation to three years in prison.

Kane County Judge James Hallock, who convicted Diomedes in a bench trial, also ordered Diomedes to continue taking medication for depression, to have no contact with his grandparents or younger sister, and to follow orders from doctors at the Ecker Center in Elgin.

Diomedes, who did not address the court before his sentencing, also was given credit for 101 days he served in jail before he posted bond.

Assistant State’s Attorney Deborah Lang pushed for the 30-month probation period and placement in a group home, noting the Diomedes also had posted on his Facebook page in April 2010 a threat directed at Geneva High School students. Diomedes no longer attends the school.

“In this day and age, it’s not something that’s taken lightly,” Lang said of Diomedes’ behavior. “He understood the consequences, but he decided to send another email making threats.”

Defense attorney Scott Sheen argued for two years of probation and no GPS monitoring. Sheen stressed Diomedes did not violate any conditions of his bond, such as staying away from the high school, and that he spend three months in jail. Sheen argued that Diomedes never intended to act on killing any people mentioned in the email, which was more like a list of people he was having problems with at the time.

“His conduct since this case (was charged) has been exemplary. He’s actually doing extremely well now,” Sheen said. “He wasn’t healthy mentally. He had serious issues that were resolved after he got out of the hospital and after he got out of jail.”

Sue Ferro testified her son is doing better since taking medication, and she doesn’t feel threatened by him despite being named in the email.

“He’s easier to talk to. He’s calmer,” she said.

Hallock will evaluate in a year whether Diomedes should remain on GPS monitoring. Hallock also said he would consider lifting the no-contact order with Diomedes’ grandfather if the man testified in court at a future date.