A Hobart man told a judge Wednesday he was isolated, paranoid and off his medication when he threatened a Hobart cop over Facebook, then interfered in a neighbor’s SWAT call months later.
Charles Young, 49, signed a plea agreement filed last month admitted to intimidation, a Level 5 felony, and stalking, a Level 6 felony.
Judge Salvador Vasquez sentenced him to one year in Lake County Community Corrections and one year on probation. He avoided prison.
Young later said in court paperwork he wanted to get killed by the cops.
Young’s lawyer Kirk Marrie asked for him to avoid prison, noting he had no criminal history before these incidents.
Earlier, Young’s brother Bruce Young said he would have a construction job waiting after his release. He was “beside myself” when this happened, the brother said, and had personally apologized to the cop’s family. The officer told him it was lucky he was there, or they might be going to a “funeral.”
Deputy Prosecutor Tara Villarreal asked for four years in prison — three years on the intimidation case and another year for stalking.
“He needs to be held accountable,” she said. “He needs to be in a facility” and has to “take his medication.”
Charles Young said in court he was “sorry for what I did,” “didn’t mean to do it” and apologized to the police officer, adding he “didn’t understand what I was doing.”
Under lengthy questioning from the judge, Young said he thought the cops “were all coming for me.” He didn’t realize there was a SWAT call on the other side of the street.
What should happen to you, Vasquez asked. Young responded he didn’t want to go to prison.
Young’s actions were “horrible.” He could have been killed and a cop would have to live with that for the rest of their life. It wasn’t like TV, Vasquez said.
Young said he was willing to change and take his medication.
“OK,” the judge said before giving Young’s sentence, adding he would have to undergo court-ordered mental health treatment.
“I may be making a mistake,” Vasquez said. The prosecutors were reasonable to ask for prison. “This had to be a life-changing moment for you.”
A criminal affidavit alleges Young sent multiple profane threats to a Hobart cop starting on Nov. 11, 2022, on Facebook.
“U been watching my house!,” one read.
The officer told investigators he didn’t know who Young was and was worried about his safety.
A group of police officers went to the house the next morning. Young didn’t answer. As police left, they called the officer to let him know, as he got more messages from Young.
“Did I push the piggy too far!! You’re just making yourself look bad! Tyrannical Pork!”
In the second case, a SWAT team responded to a shots fired call on March 19, 2023, to Young’s neighbor’s home on the 1700 block of W. Old Ridge Road. Officers discovered later the man had died.
As cops set up a perimeter around the neighbor’s home, some were standing in Young’s yard giving cover. Young opened the window and told police to get off his lawn.
An officer — the same one he threatened on Facebook — told Young to stay inside for his own safety.
Young flashed a “gun” at him. He later told a judge it was a BB gun. The officer yelled “gun.” The cops also fanned out around Young’s house and requested a search warrant to go inside the home, which was trashed, the affidavit states.
At one point, Young closed the window, then reopened it holding a cell phone. He was later arrested outside.
mcolias@post-trib.com
