Gurnee police officer charged with felony domestic battery

A veteran Gurnee police officer constantly "threatened and tortured" a woman over several years, leading to his arrest Wednesday on domestic battery charges, a Lake County prosecutor said in court.

Officer Michael Stoner turned himself in at the Lake County jail Wednesday morning to face felony charges of aggravated domestic battery and aggravated battery, according to Gurnee police.

Stoner, who is free after posting $4,000 bail, could be sentenced to three to seven years in prison if convicted of aggravated domestic battery. He also faces a misdemeanor charge of domestic battery.

His attorney, Joseph Zeit, declined to discuss the charges but said Stoner is "vehemently denying the allegations."

Gurnee police did not provide any details about the accusations, including when or where any crimes occurred or the woman's relationship to Stoner. Lake County court records date the charges to April 3, 2018, and Nov. 2, 2019, and say Winthrop Harbor police made the arrest.

Gurnee police also did not provide an age or hometown for the officer or say how long he had been with the department. But Zeit said his client has been in his current job for 7½ years.

Stoner was placed on administrative leave after the allegations surfaced and he will remain on leave during court proceedings, according to Gurnee police. They did not state whether the leave is paid or unpaid.

There is no indication any crimes occurred while Stoner was on duty, police said.

"We take this matter very seriously and will continue to cooperate any way we can," Police Chief Brian Smith said in a written statement Wednesday. "We remain mindful of the fact that there is a presumption of innocence for all defendants. Therefore we will have no comment on the alleged charges and will allow the matter to proceed through the legal system."

During a bond hearing Wednesday, Assistant Lake County State's Attorney Demetri Tsilimigras said abuse allegations against Stoner date back to 2016.

"The defendant has constantly threatened this victim and tortured this victim over the years," he said. "He has threatened the kill the victim. Also, he has threatened to kill the victim's father."

This year, the prosecutor said, Stoner attempted to purchase a "murder kit" that included bleach, a shovel, rope and plastic sheets.

Zeit, however, accused the woman's father of making false police reports about Stoner, and he noted his client had sought an order of protection against his accuser this year.

As a condition of Stoner's bail, he is prohibited from contacting the woman, her father or her son, and he must turn over any firearms or ammunition he has to the Winthrop Harbor Police Department.

Stoner is scheduled to return to court July 28.