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Batavia fire lieutenant accused of domestic abuse had prior arrests

A Batavia Fire Department lieutenant, placed on paid administrative leave Aug. 13 after his arrest on felony domestic abuse charges, had two previous domestic violence arrests and a DUI in Geneva in 2006, court records show.

Ralph A. Strange, 49, who lives near Batavia, made his initial court appearance Wednesday on charges of aggravated domestic battery, aggravated battery causing great bodily harm and two counts of misdemeanor domestic battery.

Strange, a full-time firefighter for 25 years, is accused of breaking his wife's nose and fracturing her orbital bone Aug. 9. Two days later a relative of the woman insisted she go to the hospital for her injuries, and doctors there called police, according to an order of protection the woman obtained against Strange, who was arrested and charged Aug. 13.

If convicted of the most severe charge, Strange faces anywhere from probation to seven years in prison.

"We are reviewing the facts," said David Camic, Strange's attorney. "We intend to plead not guilty because my client is not guilty as charged."

According to an order of protection obtained by Strange's wife of 21 years, after the couple returned home from lunch and drinks with family members on Aug. 9, Strange punched her several times in the face and kicked her in the knee.

"(The victim) chose not to contact law enforcement out of concern it could affect (Strange's) longtime employment," read part of the complaint.

Batavia Fire Chief Randy Deicke said Strange was put on paid administrative leave Aug. 13 pending an investigation by the city's human resources department and fire department.

Wendy Bednarek, Batavia's human resources director, said the investigation could take up to three weeks. The city will present its findings and recommendation and then Strange can choose to have city's fire and police commission or the Illinois Labor Relations Board hear his case.

Bednarek said Strange began in Batavia as a part-time firefighter in 1985 before going full-time in 1990.

According to Kane County court records, Strange was first arrested on misdemeanor domestic battery charges in May 1996 by Batavia police. The charges were later stricken, with the option to reinstate.

In October 2010 Strange was arrested on domestic battery charges by Kane County sheriffs deputies. He eventually pleaded guilty to a reduced charged of misdemeanor battery, was fined $310, and issued 18 months of "conditional discharge," a form of probation.

Strange was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol Feb. 25, 2006, in Geneva, records show. He pleaded guilty that April and was sentenced to 12 months supervision, fined $1,785, and ordered to attend a victim impact panel.

Strange is free after posting $15,000 bond. He is next due in court Oct. 14.

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