Fox Lake man back in jail after new charges filed
A Fox Lake man who was out on bond while awaiting trial for his role in a 2012 alcohol-fueled crash that killed a friend now faces new trouble after being charged with attacking an ex-girlfriend, authorities said.
Anthony Cechini, 24, was arrested by Fox Lake Police on Sept. 6, and charged with single counts of domestic battery and unlawful restraint after the victim filed a complaint that Cechini beat her, authorities said.
Lake County Assistant State’s Attorney Jason Humke said the woman told police she went to Cechini’s residence in the 0 to 100 block of North Lake Drive in Fox Lake to talk, but he slapped her in the face, choked her, grabbed her body, and “body slammed” her when she tried to leave.
Humke added police observed bruises on her face, neck, and arms.
Following his arrest, Cechini’s bail was increased to $1 million, of which he must post 10 percent, said Assistant State’s Attorney Michael Ori. Cechini remains held in Lake County jail.
Prosecutors and Cechini’s defense attorneys had been meeting with Lake County Judge Daniel Shanes regarding a plea deal for Cechini’s role in the Oct. 1, 2012 alcohol-related crash that killed David Letchinger, 21, of McHenry.
Shanes said in court previously that Cechini, Letchinger and a third friend were drinking at a Fox Lake bar before hopping into Cechini’s 2004 Subaru and heading west on the 100 block of Nippersink Road at 4 p.m.
Cechini lost control of the vehicle on some gravel and slammed into a tree near Fox Lake’s Lakefront Park.
Letchinger was airlifted to Advocate Condell Medical Center in Libertyville, where he died. Cechini and the second passenger were taken to the hospital with nonlife threatening injuries.
Shanes said Cechini’s blood alcohol content at the time of the crash was .15, nearly twice the legal limit.
Cechini was indicted by a Lake County grand jury on five counts of aggravated DUI resulting in death, five counts of aggravated DUI that resulted in bodily harm, and one count of reckless homicide in connection with the crash.
He man could be sentenced to up to 14 years in prison if found guilty of the most serious charge.
Both sides were due to appear in court Friday regarding the case, but in light of recent developments, the hearing has been postponed until Oct. 7.
Cechini is due in court Sept. 30 for a preliminary hearing on the new charges.