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West Chicago man charged with domestic battery, weapons offenses

A West Chicago man faces new felony charges after punching his girlfriend, pulling a gun on her and threatening to kill her, authorities said Thursday.

The new case comes just two weeks after Lee Steverson, 30, of the 100 block of West Washington Street, posted $750 bond on felony charges for hitting the same woman in the face, threatening to kill her and then resisting a police officer, authorities said.

Steverson is being held on $300,000 bail after the new domestic battery charges along with a charge of unlawful possession of a weapon by a felon and a charge of armed habitual criminal. The armed habitual criminal charge stems from allegations this is Steverson's fourth unlawful use of a weapon by a felon offense.

West Chicago police responded Wednesday to a report that Steverson had a gun at his home, but he was gone by the time they arrived. Officers found Steverson at a nearby store.

Prosecutors allege Steverson requested his girlfriend's car keys and when she told him she did not have the keys, he punched her in the face. They say Steverson then pulled out a handgun, pointed it at her head and said, "I'm going to kill you if you call the police."

He fled on foot, armed with the gun and a bag of marijuana, after realizing the woman had called 911, authorities said.

Officers said they found the bag containing a handgun and marijuana near a bush.

"It is alleged that (Steverson) showed a complete disregard for the rule of law and continued his criminal ways while out on bond," DuPage County State's Attorney Robert Berlin said in a written statement. "Thankfully, the victim in this case, who was also the victim of domestic violence in (Steverson's) previous case, was not injured or worse, killed, as Mr. Steverson allegedly threatened."

Steverson's next court appearance is scheduled for April 12 in front of Judge Liam Brennan.

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