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No bail for man accused of stalking DuPage judge

A man charged with stalking a DuPage County judge was denied bail Monday after prosecutors argued he poses a serious threat to the judge and her family.

Assistant State’s Attorney Demetri Demopoulos said authorities believe John Euwema, 57, has access to a firearm and is prepared to flee the country. He also has used false identities in the past, according to prosecutors.

Authorities allege the Western Springs man anonymously sent a package to the home of Judge Kathryn Creswell in July while facing a felony driving charge in her courtroom. The package, addressed to Creswell’s husband, contained a letter and a copy of the book “Cowboy Ethics” with a $100 bill tucked inside.

Creswell’s husband received further correspondence by email in September, the same day Euwema began serving a 90-day jail term imposed by Creswell. Demopoulos said the “bizarre and rambling” writings referenced the judge’s children, alluded to other details of Creswell’s personal life, and offered work to Creswell’s husband.

Authorities charged Euwema after searching his office and finding a box of .357 ammunition, a photo of one of the judge’s children and evidence of Internet searches related to the judge’s family. Also seized were two identification cards belonging to other people and a plaque identifying Euwema as a “lifetime associate” of the Ku Klux Klan, according to prosecutors.

Demopoulos said authorities believe Euwema, if released, would have access to a firearm to match the bullets they found, though no gun has been located.

“Only he knows where it’s at,” Demopoulos said in court Monday.

Demopoulos said Euwema has confessed he sent the materials and believed he would be able to work out a “backroom deal” with the judge. He said Euwema owns a large office building and claims to make millions of dollars a year.

Defense attorney Michael Goggin denied his client ever made threats but said he “characterized his family as similar to the judge’s.” He said Euwema has no access to a firearm and no plans to flee.

“There’s never been any history of violence in his background,” Goggin said. “He has a viable business, a home and a family in this area.”

Euwema was denied bail by John Barsanti, a Kane County judge brought in to hear the case because of potential conflicts of interest with other Dupage judges. Barsanti said Euwema poses a “real and present threat” to Creswell and her family.

“I’m considering it as an implied threat,” Barsanti said.

Prosecutors said Euwema’s background includes several arrests for drunken driving, including one case in which he was sentenced to four years in prison. His arraignment in the stalking case is Dec. 18.

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