Man who tossed eggs at DuPage judge ordered to find job
A Naperville man who spent a week in jail for hurling a raw egg at a DuPage County judge completed his sentence Wednesday, but was told he must remain behind bars due to delinquent child support payments.
A shackled Agim Demiri appeared before Judge Timothy J. McJoynt for the first time since last week's egg-tossing incident in which the judge found him in criminal contempt of court and imposed the seven-day sentence.
It could have been much worse for Demiri, who narrowly missed McJoynt. The judge declined to pursue a battery complaint. The first egg struck a state of Illinois plaque on the wall behind him. Another egg also was found nearby.
"Regardless of everything else that happened, all I really want you to do is to get a job and pay your child support," McJoynt told Demiri, 40.
Demiri will be set free when he raises a $400 bond regarding his delinquent child support. Otherwise, the judge ordered Demiri be placed in the DuPage County jail's work release program so that he may search for a job during the day, then return to the facility at night.
Demiri has appeared before McJoynt several times regarding support for his two children, ages 15 and 13, who live with their mother in California. In fact, the judge ordered Demiri serve a few days in the jail in the past for delinquent payments, which at one point totaled $17,510.
The divorce case, which includes custody and child support issues, is pending in Santa Clara County, Cal. Authorities in DuPage County are handling only enforcement of the monthly $488 payments.
No one was injured during the March 24 courtroom outburst. Deputies immediately arrested Demiri, who did not resist. He later apologized to the judge, but complained about his financial situation and inability to see his children.
Demiri has said he is struggling to find work and transportation after losing his driver's license because of the delinquent child support.
Demiri, of the 700 block of Inland Circle, is due back in McJoynt's courtroom next week.