Robbery suspect remains jailed, despite lowered bond

A McHenry County judge agreed Tuesday to lower the bond of a Lake in the Hills man accused of beating an acquaintance for his rent money, but not enough to spring him free from jail.

Brandon J. Kempkens, 21, remained in custody at the McHenry County jail Tuesday despite a court decision to lower his bond from $200,000 to $75,000 while he awaits trial on a robbery charge.

Kempkens has been in custody since his Sept. 9 arrest on the Class 1 felony charge that could land him in prison for 15 years if he is found guilty.

Police said Kempkens and a friend forced their way into a man's room at the Crystal Lake Motel in the early morning hours of Sept. 6, punched and kicked him repeatedly and stole $262, a mobile phone and a $50 prepaid Visa card.

The robbery, Assistant McHenry County State's Attorney Ryan Blackney said, came hours after Kempkens, co-defendant Kurt Sahlberg, 21, of Crystal Lake, and the victim had been socializing together in the same room.

In asking for bond to be set at $10,000, Kempkens' attorney tried to cast doubt on the victim's account of the incident.

"These guys were hanging out together all night and all of a sudden they break in and beat him?" Senior Assistant Public Defender Richard Behof asked. "I would suggest that doesn't make sense."

Kempkens, who formally pleaded not guilty to the charge Tuesday, is scheduled back in court Oct. 21 for a pretrial status hearing.