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Orland Park man arrested after punching election judge – NBC Chicago
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Orland Park man arrested after punching election judge – NBC Chicago

A south suburban Orland Park man has been arrested on multiple charges for allegedly punching an election judge after he cut in line during early voting, police said.

Daniel Schmidt, 24, was charged with two counts of aggravated assault on a victim over 60, two counts of aggravated assault in a public place, five counts of resisting arrest and a misdemeanor charge of disorderly conduct.

According to authorities, Orland Park Police Department officers were called to the Orland Park Township Office, 14807 Ravinia Ave., around 11 a.m. in reference to a person causing a disturbance at the polling line. Officers were advised that Schmidt entered the building, walked past other voters and was told by an election judge at the entrance to go to the back of the line. Another election judge was called and Schmidt was again told he had to go to the back of the line.

Schmidt tried to pass, but was stopped by the judge and several other employees. At that point, the 24-year-old began yelling profanities and punched the election judge, knocking off his glasses in the process, police said. Several bystanders intervened and helped restrain the police until officers arrived.

Schmidt also resisted officers while being arrested, police said. He was held in police custody overnight and had a detention hearing Monday at Bridgeview Magistrates’ Court.