Police seek man in fight that broke teen's jaw

A Geneva family is asking the public for help in catching a man police say broke their son's jaw and knocked out some of the teenager's teeth last week in a vicious attack.

The suspect claims, however, that he punched 19-year-old Paulo Gonzales in the face in self-defense and is "not going down for this."

Gonzales, a senior at Geneva High School, spent two days hospitalized in intensive care and had his jaw surgically wired shut after the incident Aug. 30 at the St. Charles Jiffy Lube, 1970 Lincoln Highway, his family said.

He and co-worker Daniel M. Jackson, 20, of 42W918 Jens Jensen Lane, St. Charles, both say they had a history of ribbing each other as co-workers at Jiffy Lube, but the kidding spiraled out of control last week.

"I thought we were joking like we always do. Then (Gonzales) came after me and tried to put his arms around my neck," Jackson said. "I was going to turn to go back to my car, but I defended myself and I hit him. I guess he got hurt in the situation."

Gonzales, who can barely speak through the metal braces in his mouth, says it was the other way around: That Jackson had called him "gay" and made "racist" remarks about his Peruvian heritage until Gonzales said he had enough -- and was decked in the face for it.

The Kane County state's attorney's office has authorized a felony charge of aggravated battery against Jackson, and police are pursuing a warrant for his arrest.

So far, officers have not been able to locate Jackson, according to a police report.

Now Gonzales' stepfather, Steve Fellows of Geneva, is asking anyone who might know of the suspect's whereabouts to call police.

"We're trying to get some exposure so we can catch this guy," Fellows said. "According to the police, he moves around a lot and might have fled to the Rockford area."

St. Charles police spokesman Paul McCurtain declined to discuss the case, other than to say it was under investigation. "We're hoping to reach a successful conclusion very soon," he said.

The Daily Herald reached Jackson in a matter of minutes Thursday after leaving a phone message at his home in St. Charles. Jackson said he has tried to contact police for days and that Gonzales' family is harassing him.

Jackson claimed he is being singled out because he has a history of violent crimes. He said witness accounts and a video recording of the altercation prove he is innocent.

He did not identify his whereabouts nor say whether he plans to turn himself in.

"I'm trying to stand up for myself," he said. "I pleaded guilty to other charges because I did it. But I'm not going down for this."

Jackson's previous brushes with the law include a Nov. 11, 2005, arrest on an aggravated battery charge for punching a man numerous times in the face and head.

Jackson pleaded guilty to the felony charge in March 2006, court records show. He was given credit for 118 days in jail, fined and placed on probation for two years.

Then in July 2006, St. Charles police charged him with misdemeanor domestic battery for punching his girlfriend in the head and face.

Prosecutors asked that Jackson's probation be revoked. He was ordered to attend domestic violence counseling and this May was to have a psychological evaluation performed.

If convicted of the latest battery charge, Jackson could face two to five years in prison, police said.

Fellows, the stepfather, says that would be justice.

"People should see the pain and anguish my son is going through," he said.

Jackson is described as 6 feet, 2 inches tall and 185 pounds. He has brown eyes and red hair.

Dan Petrey, owner of the Jiffy Lube in St. Charles, said in a written statement Thursday that Gonzales and Jackson both were off the clock during the altercation. A surveillance video has been turned over to police.

"We are truly saddened by this incident," Petrey wrote. "In our 18 years of operations, we have never experienced such a situation."

Police can be reached at (630) 377-4435.