Bond set for Madison man charged with assaulting law enforcement officers

A bond hearing was held in Lake County Circuit Court Thursday morning for 34-year-old Benjamin Hernandez of Madison.  Hernandez is charged with four felony counts of Aggravated Assault on a Law Enforcement Officer after pointing a gun at four law enforcement officers during an incident near the Classic Corner convenience store in Madison last week.  

In court Thursday, Circuit Judge Pat Pardy and Hernandez’s attorney Manny deCastro appeared by phone conference, while Hernandez and Lake County State’s Attorney Wendy Kloeppner were in the courtroom.  Hernandez’s bond was set at 50-thousand dollars cash.  Hernandez spoke during the hearing, saying that he would like to be released on a personal recognizance bond so he can continue to meet with counselors and work.  Circuit Judge Pardy said that he would not reduce Hernandez’s bond because he is facing serious charges, in which he is facing up to 100-years in the state penitentiary if convicted on all four felony counts.  He also said that Hernandez is a serious risk to the public.  Hernandez’s next court appearance is scheduled for October 28th. 

More on this story can be found in an earlier KJAM News story.