Gurnee man admits he lied to police

A Gurnee teen who claimed a police officer threatened him and used derogatory language during a traffic stop admitted Monday in Lake County circuit court that he lied.

Heriberto Hernandez, 19, pleaded guilty to misdemeanor attempted perjury during a hearing before Circuit Judge Victoria Rossetti.

Lake County Assistant State's Attorney Fred Day said Hernandez, of 3428 Crescent Ave., was stopped for a traffic violation on Route 41 at 2:53 p.m. Dec. 2. After he was cited for failure to reduce speed when approaching an emergency vehicle, Hernandez went to the police station and filed a complaint.

He told police the officer had threatened him and used derogatory language during their encounter, and police made him sign a sworn affidavit to his claims.

After the complaint was filed, police reviewed audio and video recordings of the traffic stop and saw Hernandez's claims were false.

He was charged with felony perjury and faced a maximum of five years in prison.

Day said Monday he agreed to reduce the charge to a misdemeanor in exchange for Hernandez's guilty plea.

Rossetti placed Hernandez on probation for two years, ordered him to make a $700 contribution to Lake County Crime Stoppers and said he must perform 100 hours of community service.

She also told him to write a letter of apology to the Gurnee Police Department.