Round Lake Beach man charged with battery after fight at Lake County jail

A former Carmel Catholic High School student accused of making disturbing social media posts is facing an additional criminal charge stemming from a jailhouse fight.

Steven Alvarado, 24, of the 1400 block of Beverly Drive in Round Lake Beach, is now charged with battery in addition to felony disorderly conduct for the comments he made about the Mundelein school, which he attended from 2011 to 2013, authorities said.

The jail fight started soon after Alvarado was brought to Lake County jail to be processed about 5:30 p.m. May 13, sheriff's Lt. Christopher Covelli said Tuesday.

During processing, Alvarado was placed in a holding cell with two other men. Within minutes, Alvarado attacked a 39-year-old man by punching him repeatedly, according to Covelli.

A jail employee separated the two men, and the man was treated at the jail for scratches and bumps, Covelli said.

Covelli said investigators have no reason to believe that Alvarado knew the other man.

Alvarado, whose bail was set at $1 million, remains in jail. He would need to put up $100,000 in cash to be released on bond.

The felony disorderly conduct charges stem from a series of posts Alvarado made on social media last month.

Round Lake Beach Deputy Police Chief Wayne Wilde said officials do not believe Alvarado intended to hurt anyone at the school and no weapons were recovered by police, but people found the posts disturbing and police activity at Carmel increased because of the concerns.

Alvarado is next scheduled to appear in court June 9.