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Jail inmate charged with stalking DuPage judge, sending her money

A DuPage County jail inmate has been charged with stalking the judge who locked him up for driving on a revoked license.

Prosecutors said John Euwema, 57, mailed a book, letter and cash to Judge Kathryn Creswell’s husband and contacted him by email. When police searched Euwema’s office, they found news articles about the judge’s family, a photo of one of her relatives and a box of ammunition, according to court records.

The Western Springs man was held without bail at a brief court appearance Monday. He’s charged with stalking, illegally possessing ammunition and interfering with the duties of a judicial officer. A hearing in front of DuPage Judge John Kinsella on Tuesday will determine whether he is granted bond.

Prosecutors said Euwema was on parole for aggravated drunken driving when Elmhurst police arrested him in May on charges of aggravated driving while license revoked. Two months later, after his case was assigned to Creswell, the judge’s husband received a package at their home containing a book, an unsigned letter and an undisclosed amount of cash.

According to prosecutors, the letter specifically referred to the number of people in the judge’s family and stated that “victimless crimes, alcohol- and drug-related crimes and driving offenses can be handled without incarceration. Taking parents out of a child’s life often creates instability.”

Creswell turned over the package to the sheriff’s office for investigation.

In September, Euwema pleaded guilty to driving while license revoked in exchange for three months in jail and two years of probation. On the same day he reported to jail, authorities said, he emailed Creswell’s husband offering to hire him for unspecified work, writing “I WILL get in touch in November.” Attached was a four-page letter to Creswell containing personal information about her and discussing the driving case.

Prosecutors said Euwema later became “incensed” about his 90-day term and demanded it be modified. Meanwhile, the sheriff’s office searched his workplace, locating two copies of the book Creswell’s husband received, stamped correspondence addressed to the judge, computer printouts of newspaper articles related to Creswell’s family and a photo of one of her relatives, authorities said. Police also found a box of .357 ammunition, which Euwema cannot legally possess as a felon.

Euwema’s defense attorney, Michael Goggin, declined to comment Monday. Creswell also declined to comment through an assistant. Prosecutors said Euwema has confessed, and they want him kept under lock and key.

“(The) defendant’s admission to bail poses a real and present threat to the physical safety of Judge Creswell and her family, and denial of his release on bail is necessary to prevent fulfillment of the threat upon which the charge is based,” Assistant State’s Attorney Demetri Demopoulos wrote in a motion to deny bail.

Judge Kinsella said he will hear the motion Tuesday.

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