Round Lake man admits walking away from work release

A Round Lake man was sentenced to 150 days in jail Monday after he pleaded guilty to not returning to the jail work release program.

Jeffery Nixon, 35, was also ordered to complete the one-year sentence in work release he received earlier this year for telephone harassment.

Lake County Assistant State's Attorney Marykay Foy said Nixon, of the 1400 block of Elm Avenue, was ordered Jan. 27 to spend one year in jail when he was not working.

Nixon pleaded guilty to telephone harassment of a Round Lake Park man who he called and threatened to kill, according to court records.

On Sept. 24, Nixon left the work release facility in Waukegan to go to work but did not report back for his 8 p.m. curfew.

A warrant charging him with escape was issued and Nixon was rearrested Oct. 6 and has been held in jail since then.

Associate Judge George Bridges also ordered Nixon to perform 200 hours of public service and to complete the probation department's “Thinking for a Change” program.

Nixon must also submit to psychological and substance abuse evaluation and successfully complete any counseling recommended by the evaluators.

Foy said Nixon could have faced up to five years in prison if convicted after a trial.