Elgin man sent to prison for threatening judge

An Elgin man has been sentenced to three years in prison for threatening a judge at an April court appearance.

Alex Barrera, 23, pleaded guilty Friday to one count of threatening a public official and one count of theft in exchange for two, 3-year sentences to be served concurrently, according to court records.

Barrera was appearing in Elgin Branch Court on a felony theft charge on April 23, when he threatened to "pop" Kane County Circuit Court Judge Bruce Lester while making a gunlike gesture with his hand. He was subsequently charged with threatening a public official.

Barrera, whose attorney has said he was off his medication for bi-polar disorder at the time of the threat, pleaded guilty to both offenses on Friday.

Under state law, he must serve at least half of the term, meaning he could be released in about 18 months.