Feds don't want Crystal Lake murder suspect deported

Federal authorities would be happy to return Esteban Calleja to his native land.

The McHenry County State's Attorney's office, however, has other ideas for the 43-year-old Carpentersville man.

Prosecutors filed a motion Friday to increase Calleja's bond so that rather than be deported, he would remain in the county jail until he can face trial for the attempted murder of his girlfriend.

"The (state) believes the defendant has posted bond in an effort to be deported to avoid a trial," Assistant McHenry County State's Attorney Michael Combs said in the motion.

Calleja, of the 3000 block of Wakefield Drive, is charged in connection with the July 25 stabbing of his 38-year-old girlfriend in the chest and back during a dispute in her Crystal Lake-area home.

After posting a $20,000 bond, Calleja was let out of custody under the auspices of a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement supervised release program while the federal agency prepared to deport him for being in the country illegally. That deportation could come as soon as next week, Combs said in court documents.

In the meantime, county prosecutors say, Calleja violated a condition of his bond on Sept. 18 by sending the victim a text message.

He was arrested this week on a misdemeanor bond violation charge and, under a court order issued Friday, will remain in the McHenry County jail pending a hearing next week on the motion to increase bond.

Calleja would face a mandatory prison term of six to 30 years if found guilty of attempted murder.