CHICAGO — For the second time this week, Secret Service agents have arrested someone for trying to pass through the perimeter of a Democratic National Convention security zone. At least four other people are charged with felonies for actions they allegedly took during protests this week.
The gun arrest took place on Tuesday evening at a checkpoint established by the Secret Service near McCormick Place.
Darryl Wardington, 23, of Calumet City, tried to drive past the outer perimeter checkpoint and agreed to let Secret Service agents search his Chevy Cruze, a Chicago police arrest report said.
After moving some items in Wardington’s trunk, the agents allegedly found two loaded pistols, including one reported stolen from Riverside, the report stated.
The agents turned Wardington over to Chicago police officers, along with the guns, six loose bullets, an empty ammunition magazine, and some fireworks they allegedly found in his car.
Judge William Fahy denied the state’s detention request and sent Wardington home on Wednesday afternoon with a nightly curfew. He is charged with two counts of aggravated unlawful use of a weapon and possession of a stolen firearm, which are felonies, and misdemeanor possession of fireworks.
On Saturday night, Secret Service agents arrested a 31-year-old man who allegedly tried to bring a loaded pistol through a checkpoint near the United Center. Judge Maryam Ahmade granted the state’s detention request for him.
Prosecutors have also charged four adults with felonies based on alleged behavior at DNC-related protests:
- Nicholas Bongiorno, 18, of Park Ridge, is accused of knocking a CPD officer to the ground, causing the officer to suffer a concussion, on Monday evening, according to court records. A CPD report said Bongiorno ignored multiple commands from police in the 1900 block of West Maypole, broke free from officers, and fled on foot before knocking the officer to the ground. He is charged with felony aggravated battery of a peace officer, felony resisting, three misdemeanor counts of resisting, and misdemeanor obstruction of identification. Judge Shaundra Boliker released him from custody on Tuesday.
- Steven Boyd, 41, of Santa Rosa, California, is charged with felony aggravated battery of a peace officer and misdemeanor reckless conduct for allegedly striking “multiple” officers who were holding a defensive formation in the 1900 block of West Maypole on Tuesday evening. Judge Marubio released him on Wednesday.
- Justin Head, 32, of Crystal Lake, is accused of stealing a CPD officer’s radio in the 500 block of West Madison on Tuesday evening and then knocking a sergeant to the ground when the cop tried to arrest him, according to a CPD report. The sergeant allegedly fell, struck concrete, and suffered arm pain. Head is charged with felony resisting, theft of lost or mislaid property, and three counts of misdemeanor resisting. Judge Mary Marubio released him on Wednesday.
- An undercover police officer working a pro-Palestine demonstration at Park 578 on Monday evening allegedly saw 31-year-old Tanner Masseth of Chicago throw a water bottle at an officer who was trying to repair a toppled fence from an “unstable platform,” a CPD report said. The water bottle missed, but water splashed on the officer’s front waist area, according to the report. The targeted officer reportedly felt the water bottle toss was “insulting and provoking in nature.” He’s charged with aggravated battery of a peace officer. Judge Mary Marubio released Masseth on Tuesday.
CWBChicago has identified 13 more adults who have appeared in court on misdemeanor charges after being arrested at DNC-related activities:
- Isa Wuenschel, 25, of Downers Grove, is accused of picking up a police officer’s radio and handing it off to Justin Head, whom you read about above. Undercover surveillance officers followed her on foot and in a car for several blocks to effect the arrest. They charged her with misdemeanor theft of lost or mislaid property.
- Roger Palinsky, 27, of the West Loop, is charged with five counts of resisting and possession of spray paint after an undercover officer allegedly saw him stuff two cans of spray paint into a drawstring bag in the 800 block of West Washington on Tuesday.
- According to a CPD report, Marion Thomas, 26, of Chicago, allegedly stood on the secure side of a barrier in the 1900 block of West Washington before lying down in the street and refusing to leave when the Secret Service confronted him. He is now facing charges of trespassing and two counts of resisting.
- John Stoecker, 18, of San Antonio, Texas, allegedly kicked an officer “numerous times” in the leg as the cop tried to arrest someone in the first block of South Clinton on Tuesday evening. He’s charged with simple battery.
- Desmond Turek, age unknown, of Uptown, is charged with misdemeanor battery after he allegedly struck an officer in the face with an open hand in the 500 block of West Madison on Tuesday evening.
- Jeremy Hammond, 39, of the 1800 block of South Ashland, is charged with criminal damage for allegedly spray-painting a Chicago police squad car in the 200 block of South Riverside on Tuesday evening.
- Charged with ordinance violations for disorderly conduct were Yamil Vargas, age unknown, of the 1400 block of North Long; De-Zarie McQuall, age and hometown unknown; and Jason Hammond, 39, of the 1800 block of South Ashland.
- Charged with resisting and disorderly conduct are Thomas Szafaryn, 27, of Niles, and Emily Moore, 35, of Albany Park.
- George Brenner, 20, of Carrboro, NC, is charged with resisting and obstructing officers by trying to pull a cop off an arrestee, according to a CPD report.
- Chicago resident Elsie Knaub, 34, faces charges of resisting and disorderly conduct for allegedly failing to disperse.
Editor’s note: CPD has a policy of embargoing mugshots for misdemeanor arrests for four days. This story will be updated when additional images become available.
