St. Charles man charged with aggravated battery after bar fight

A judge set bail at $35,000 for a St. Charles man accused of trying to strangle a bouncer at a St. Charles bar.

Jason T. Nord, 33, of the 300 block of North Fifth Street, is charged with two counts of felony aggravated battery and mob action stemming from a fight at the Filling Station, 300 W. Main St., according to court documents.

In bond call Wednesday, Kane County Judge James Hallock read a police report, saying authorities were called to a fight at the bar at about 10:30 p.m. Tuesday. Nord and a friend had entered the bar earlier, but his friend vomited into a glass and the bartender said she would no longer serve either man.

Hallock said Nord is accused of fighting with a bouncer, eventually getting on top of him, threatening to kill him and trying to strangle him. The other man, who has not been arrested, also tried to knee or kick the bouncer, Hallock said.

Nord was arrested a block away; the bouncer was treated and released at the scene.

Assistant state's attorney Debi Conforti argued for a $75,000 bail for Nord, pointing to numerous alcohol-related offenses from when Nord was a juvenile and two DUI arrests in DuPage County. He also had arrests for drug paraphernalia, reckless driving and battery, she said.

“He strangled somebody allegedly and there's witnesses to that effect,” Conforti said. “This is a severe case.”

Defense attorney Scott Kent said his client had a steady job, there was no evidence his client was drunk and he disputed the mob action charge. “They weren't acting in concert,” said Kent, who expected his client to post bond Wednesday.

In order to be free pending trial, Nord must post $3,500. If he is freed, he is not to consume alcohol and cannot go within 500 feet of the bar.

He is next due in court Dec. 16. If convicted of the most serious charges, he faces anywhere from probation to five years in prison.