Ex-Huntley man gets jail for violating protection order

A former Huntley man arrested five times last year on charges he assaulted a former girlfriend was sentenced Friday to six months in jail and two years probation on a felony conviction for violating an order of protection.

Michael Spires, 45, must also pay a $500 fine and seek both alcohol and anger management counseling under the sentence agreed upon by his attorney and McHenry County prosecutors. Because he already has served 161 days in jail while awaiting sentencing, and will get good-time credit for the remaining 19 days, Spires was expected to go free Friday.

Spires, who moved to Chicago shortly before his January arrest on the charge, was facing a maximum prison sentence of one to three years, but Assistant McHenry County State's Attorney Sharyl Eisenstein said the combination of jail time and probation should be more effective than just sending him to prison.

"He may actually have done less time if he went to the Department of Corrections," she said. "This way, there's the time in (jail) and he'll get treatment that he needs. And obviously if he doesn't comply, there's always the Department of Corrections."

Court record show Spires was arrested on domestic battery charges in April, May, June, July and November last year, all of them involving the same 47-year-old Huntley woman. The first four charges were disposed of in August under a plea deal in which Spires admitted guilt to one charge, had the other three dismissed, and was sentenced to 90 days in jail.

After the November arrest, the woman obtained an order of protection, claiming in court papers that he had choked her and punched her in the arm. Authorities said Spires promptly violated the order by calling the woman.

Spires declined to make a statement on his own behalf when given a chance in court Friday.