Adult charges dismissed against teen in LITH gang fight

Authorities dismissed felony allegations Tuesday against a Lake in the Hills teen charged as an adult in a 2009 brawl that led to a police crackdown on gangs.

County prosecutors dropped the aggravated battery and mob action charges against Wasfi Awwad, 16, of the 100 block of Pheasant Trail, after he was placed on probation in unrelated juvenile court proceedings.

"Based on what happened in juvenile court, this was an appropriate disposition," Assistant McHenry County State's Attorney Michael Combs said. "He will continue to be monitored by the juvenile court."

Awwad and his brother Mohammed Awwad, 17, initially were charged as juveniles in connection with a July 3, 2009, fight in which police said they, along with an older brother and a fourth man, attacked a 17-year-old boy who walked past their home wearing rival gang colors. A judge later upgraded them to felony court because of the nature of the incident and the teens' prior records.

Mohammed Awwad pleaded guilty in April to an adult aggravated battery charge and was sentenced to four months in jail and two years probation. Charges against the oldest brother, Mazin Awwad, 18, were dismissed as part of a March 26 plea deal in which he admitted to an unrelated robbery and was sentenced to five years in prison.

The fourth man, Jonathan M. Rodriguez, 19, of Lake in the Hills, is awaiting trial on aggravated battery and mob action charges.

The incident was one of several last year that led Lake in the Hills police to hold an informational gang forum with residents and step up anti-gang efforts.