Fox Lake man denies witness tampering

A Fox Lake man pleaded not guilty Thursday to charges he told the victim in a sexual assault case not to testify against his friend.

Ryan Brown, 29, is also charged separately with forcing his way into the house of a man with whom he was having an argument.

Lake County Assistant State's Attorney Reginald Matthews said Brown, of 11 Hilldale Road, is a friend of Michael Snelton, 32, who is charged with raping a 31-year-old Fox Lake woman.

Matthews said Brown went to see the victim July 26 and told her "it would be better" if she did not testify against Snelton. The woman called police, and Brown was charged with intimidation the following day.

Snelton, of 519 Kings Road, faces up to 30 years in prison in the case, and is due in court Nov. 5.

On July 30, Matthews said Brown was drinking with some other men in an alley on Grand Avenue near where one member of the group lives.

Brown and that man argued, Matthews said, and Brown followed the man when he returned to his home. Brown stood outside of the house shouting at the man, Matthews said, then broke open the screen door and went inside.

The victim told Brown to get out, Matthews said, then hit him over the head with a candlestick when he would not leave. Bleeding profusely, Brown staggered into a nearby tavern where the owners called police and an ambulance.

Brown pleaded not guilty to criminal trespass to a residence in that case.

Associate Judge Christopher Stride told Brown he faces up to seven years in prison if convicted of intimidation, and up to three years for the trespassing charge.

Brown also faces an additional five years in prison if his probationary sentence for aggravated battery is revoked because of the new charges.

Matthews said Brown was placed on probation for 30 months May 23 when he pleaded guilty to beating up a Fox Lake man in a Dec. 13 fight.

Brown is held on $200,000 bond, and is due to appear in court Oct. 29.