Another Warrant Issued for Fairbury Man Accused of Assault in Local Restaurant
Another arrest warrant has been issued for a Fairbury man who pleaded No Contest to charged of assault in a local restaurant.
Rodrigo E. Olivares-Morales, age 41, of Fairbury, failed to appear in Jefferson County Court for sentencing on Wednesday, March 8, 2023. Linda Bauer was the presiding judge.
The defendant was previously scheduled to be sentenced on February 8 but failed to appear then as well. Judge Bauer issued a warrant for his arrest. He was arrested and then released on bond of $3,500 (10 percent) on February 14.
Olivares-Morales is charged with third degree assault, a class 1 misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in jail and a $1,000 fine.
Jefferson County Deputies were called to the scene of a disturbance at a restaurant in Fairbury on August 27, 2022, shortly after 7:00 p.m., and the suspect was arrested. According to the Warrantless Arrest Affidavit, “the male (suspect) had gotten into a verbal argument with the restaurant owner and then proceeded to throw 2 punches at the owner connecting with one.”
The defendant is represented by Public Defender Scott Gropp. In December, 2022, when his client pleaded No Contest, Gropp advised the court was no plea agreement, “The state is not willing to make an offer at this time.”
Gropp told the court his client had called his office and said he was in North Dakota and would not be able to make court. Gropp made a motion for a continuance.
County Attorney Joeph Casson object to a continuance and requested a warrant.
Judge Bauer denied the continuance and issued an arrest warrant. A new bond was set at $5,00 (10 percent).
