Downstate man accused of threatening DuPage County officials

A downstate man remained in custody at the DuPage County jail Sunday on charges he sent a death threat to several county officials, including a judge and police chief.

James Brasfield, 44, of Morton, faces three counts of threatening a public official and misdemeanor charges of disorderly conduct and harassment through electronic communications. The charges stem from a threatening email prosecutors say he sent early Friday morning.

Brasfield, who faces up to five years in prison if convicted of the charges, was ordered held on $300,000 bail. His next scheduled court appearance is May 8.

According to DuPage County State's Attorney Robert B. Berlin, the email made threats against officials, including Judge Daniel Guerin, Lombard Police Chief Ray Byrne and an investigator from the state's attorney's office, as well as a private citizen.

He was arrested by Morton police Friday and taken to DuPage County, where he made an appearance in bond court Saturday.

"Any threatening or harassing contact with an officer of the court will be thoroughly investigated and will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law," Berlin said in a news release. "For our judicial system to operate properly, it is imperative that members of the judiciary or any other officer of the court be allowed to perform their duties free from harassment or fear of retribution."