Homeless man admits Crystal Lake shelter stabbing

A 40-year-old homeless man faces up to 10 years in prison after admitting guilt Friday to accusations he stabbed another homeless man as he slept last year in a Crystal Lake area shelter.

Anthony Kolak pleaded guilty to aggravated battery in connection with the Dec. 4 incident at the McHenry County Public Action to Deliver Shelter facility located inside a church on the 3400 block of Walkup Road.

Under terms of his plea deal, Kolak can receive anything from probation to 10 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections when sentenced April 28. Until then, he will be in custody at the McHenry County jail, where he has been held since the stabbing.

Assistant McHenry County State's Attorney David Johnston said the stabbing occurred shortly after Kolak and the victim argued inside the shelter.

"The argument ended with Mr. Kolak saying, 'I'm going to settle this later,' " Johnston said.

About 30 minutes later, as the victim slept on a cot, Johnston said, witnesses saw Kolak bend over the man, walk away then place a small pocket knife down. The victim then awoke and noticed that he was bleeding from a 3/4-inch cut on his stomach. He was treated at the scene for a nonlife threatening injury.

Kolak attorney Richard Behof said his client disputes some of the account of the incident, believing the victim had been the aggressor that evening, and hopes to receive probation.