Dec. 20—OREGON — A rural Dixon man charged with attempting to murder three police officers in June will remain jailed while continuing to review evidence that will be presented as his case proceeds through the courts.
Jonathon Gounaris, 32, is charged with four counts of attempted first-degree murder, three counts of aggravated discharge of a firearm, three counts of aggravated battery and two counts of possession of a firearm without a firearm owner’s identification card — all of which stem from a June 12 standoff with police in the rural Dixon subdivision of Lost Lake. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges and is being held in the Winnebago County Jail in Rockford.
On Thursday, Gounaris appeared before Judge John “Ben” Roe for a status hearing. He was escorted into court by two Winnebago County corrections officers and two Ogle County court deputies. He wore a yellow jumpsuit issued to inmates, handcuffs and leg irons.
Ogle County Assistant Public Defender Michael O’Brien told Roe that he is continuing to work through the 770 pages of police reports, medical records and other evidence relevant to Gounaris’ defense and has conducted one of several meetings with Gournaris.
O’Brien said that there’s still a “large amount of video evidence” he needs to go through with Gounaris in person and requested additional information pertaining to medical records.
Ogle County State’s Attorney Mike Rock did not object and provided Gounaris’ defense with the requested lab report.
O’Brien then argued for Gounaris’ release. He acknowledged that he was not present for Gounaris’ initial detention hearing, but said there “are conditions available that would mitigate the threat to the public.”
Some of those conditions could include home monitoring, taking prescribed medications, submitting to drug testing and attending counseling, O’Brien said.
O’Brien also pointed out that Gounaris has “continued to make progress while in jail. He has made no infractions, sanctions or reprimands.”
He recently completed a four-day spiritual weekend program and has been taking “workable” medications, O’Brien said.
Ogle County Assistant State’s Attorney Heather Kruse disagreed.
She said that all of O’Brien’s arguments have been made before and pointed out that Gounaris’ “obedience to the rules while in a structured environment doesn’t mean he should be released.”
Roe denied the request for his release and ruled for continued detention until the next court date.
“We’ve already had an extensive hearing regarding his detention,” Roe said. “I note the arguments about his progress, but it doesn’t change the circumstances.”
Gounaris is charged with shooting three members of the Ogle County Sheriff’s Office Emergency Response Team after a three-hour standoff when police tried to enter his home at 402 Wild Rice Lane in Lost Lake.
The ERT is made up of individuals from agencies including the sheriff’s office, Oregon and Byron police departments, and SWAT medics from the Rochelle Fire Department.
Ogle County Sheriff’s Lt. Jason Ketter was shot in the face and taken by air ambulance to OSF Medical Center in Rockford, where he underwent surgery. He was released from the hospital June 14.
Ogle County Sheriff’s Deputy Tad Dominski was shot in the arm, and Tyler Carls of the Rochelle Fire Department was shot in the torso. They were treated at KSB Hospital in Dixon and released later that evening.
Gounaris also was shot during the gunfire exchange and was taken to KSB Hospital in Dixon, where he was treated before being booked into the Winnebago County Jail on June 18.
Gounaris’ next court appearance is at 3:30 p.m. Jan. 23.