Portage man knocks man’s teeth out with large tree branch
A Portage man is facing felony charges after knocking a man’s teeth out with a large tree branch during a late night Aug. 3 bonfire.
James Wozniak, 20, was charged Nov. 14 with aggravated battery, battery by means of a deadly weapon, battery resulting in serious bodily injury, and battery resulting in moderate bodily injury.
He has not been jailed in the case. When arrested, he is ordered to be held without bond. The top count, a Level 3 felony, carries a possible 3-16 year penalty.
The victim told police Wozniak was dating his children’s mother. Another witness told cops they had “issues” and both shouldn’t have been there.
“That’s what you get for breaking my (truck) windows,” Wozniak said afterward, while the victim was passed out on the ground.
The incident happened on the 2400 block of Spencer Street in Lake Station. Police responded to Northwest Health-Portage. The victim couldn’t really talk with his injuries.
He had a bloody, disfigured nose and a big gap in his upper teeth. The victim reported he started having seizures afterward. The affidavit also states he had several fractures — his jaw, roof of his mouth, eye socket and nose.
He was at a birthday party when he got “hit by something,” the affidavit states. Later, he couldn’t remember what he first told the cops. He was transferred to Northwestern, then released.
Two other men around the campfire told cops they didn’t even know who Wozniak and the victim were. They told cops Wozniak beat him in the face with the tree branch.
Later, Wozniak admitted in social media messages with a woman that he did it, charges state.
Hobart man charged with child molesting
A Hobart man faces charges he inappropriately touched a 4-year-old girl.
Abraham Nadermohammadi, 33, of Hobart, and formerly Houston, was charged Nov. 13 with Level 4 felony child molesting.
He has not been apprehended in the case. After his arrest, he is ordered to be held without bail.
New Chicago Police opened an investigation when the victim’s mother went to the police station on Aug. 1.
The woman told investigators that the child turned “defensive” that day when she took her to the bathroom to clean her up.
The mother confronted Nadermohammadi, who said he didn’t know why the girl was acting differently. She later told police the girl started to stutter six months earlier.
The girl told police during a forensic interview that Nadermohammadi had touched her repeatedly, sometimes while he was nude himself. The child cried during the interview.
Nadermohammadi declined to speak with police without an attorney.
mcolias@post-trib.com
