South Elgin man pleads not guilty in cop attack

A South Elgin man pleaded not guilty Friday to charges he attacked four police officers responding to a domestic dispute at his home.

Jeff Schultz, 35, of the 1100 block of Sunbury Road, was arraigned in Kane County Circuit Court on one count of disarming a police officer and six counts of aggravated battery in connection with the Feb. 1 case.

Authorities said Schultz tried to pull a gun from the holster of one of four South Elgin police officers who responded to a report of a loud argument involving his stepson about 3:30 a.m. During the scuffle, police said, he punched one officer in the face and struck three others in the chest, shoulder and wrist.

On Thursday, defense attorney Garrett Malcolm contended the officers had no right to enter his client's home.

“He was in his house minding his own business when the South Elgin police unlawfully entered, Malcolm said. “He, his wife and his stepson all tell me there was no domestic situation. There was no call to the police department.

Schultz was indicted by a grand jury in August on seven charges stemming from the altercation, all of them Class 2 felonies. If convicted, he could be sentenced to up to seven years in prison, or up to 14 years if he is eligible for an extended term, Circuit Judge Timothy Sheldon said.

Schultz remained free on bond. He returns to court Dec. 9.