7 charged in Kane County jail brawl

Seven inmates were charged with mob action and battery after a fight erupted inside the Kane County jail in St. Charles, police said Tuesday.

No one was hurt in the altercation, which broke out about 9 a.m. Aug. 30 in a 64-bed housing unit on the second floor. Sheriff's Lt. Pat Gengler said two on-duty jail guards diffused the situation quickly.

"This is definitely the biggest (fight) we've had since we've been here," said Gengler, referring to the jail at 37W755 Route 38, which opened last year.

Among those charged was Tony Rosalez, 19, of Elgin, who faces murder charges in the Jan. 30 shooting of a Rochelle woman, and Christian Lopez, 20, also of Elgin, who is accused of home invasion and robbery.

Also charged in the jail fight were Emmanuel E. Perez, 19, of Pingree Grove; Timothy L. Osborne, 24, of Elgin; Blake P. McDaniel, 23, of Elgin; Kenneth K. Jones, 20, of Aurora; and Jamie Barragan, 19, of DeKalb, according to police.

Investigators have not determined what led to the fight, Gengler said, but at no point was the public in danger.

"In order to get out of the jail, you've got to get through multiple controlled doors," he said. "It's very, very unlikely."

Deputies put the jail on lockdown as soon as the fight broke out, Gengler said. There were no weapons involved.

The inmates each were charged with felony mob action and two counts of misdemeanor battery. They are scheduled to appear Sept. 15 in front of Judge James C. Hallock.