(Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
SOMERS, Wis. — Lamont Roundtree, 48, of Cedar Falls, Iowa, was in court and charged today with second-degree recklessly endangering safety, misdemeanor battery, and disorderly conduct with a dangerous weapon after an altercation Tuesday at a shop in the 7700 block of 12th Street in Somers. Cash bail was set at $1,000, and a preliminary hearing is scheduled for Aug. 27.
(Kenosha County Sheriff)
Prosecutors allege Roundtree went to the shop to demand pay, struck a man in the face during an argument, then produced a folding knife and advanced toward him before retreating outside. Deputies later recovered a black-handled pocketknife from the semi-truck Roundtree had been driving and noted the victim’s glasses and a wrench on the floor near where the struggle occurred.
According to statements in court, Assistant District Attorney Toni Young initially requested a $7,500 cash bail at the direction of District Attorney Xavier Solis, but later amended her request to $1,000. The court set bail at $1,000 cash with conditions typical for a violent-conduct case, and set the preliminary hearing for Aug. 27.
The top count, second-degree recklessly endangering safety, is a Class G felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison and a $25,000 fine. The misdemeanor battery and disorderly conduct counts carry additional potential jail time and fines, and the disorderly conduct charge includes a dangerous-weapon enhancer.
Deputies reported the dispute began inside the shop and spilled outside toward a semi parked in the lot, where Roundtree was detained without incident. The victim, a man, reported pain on the right side of his face after being struck and said he armed himself with a metal tool to keep distance when the knife was displayed.
Roundtree denied throwing the first punch and told deputies he blocked a swing and only brandished the knife after the other man grabbed metal tools. He said he then put the knife away and returned to his truck. He remains presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
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