PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) — A homeless man faces up to 15 years behind bars after being charged with punching a Peoria police officer in the face.
According to court records, Eric Anderson, 33, was charged Friday with one count of aggravated battery to a police officer. Normally that carries a maximum of seven years behind bars but because it’s alleged he caused “great bodily harm,” he faces more time.
On Friday, a judge ordered him held in custody pending the outcome of his case. He will next appear in court on May 2 for a preliminary hearing though it is likely a grand jury will hear the case before then.
According to court records, Anderson was found sleeping at the Twins Tower Mall in Downtown Peoria at about 7:45 a.m. He refused to leave. Officers also learned he had a warrant for his arrest.
When he learned the officers knew that, he “lunged at one of the officers, punching him multiple times in the face and knocking him to the ground,” according to the Peoria County State’s Attorney’s office.
The officer who was struck was covered in blood from a significant cut under his right eye and had multiple eye fractures.
