Kane County sheriff, state’s attorney got death threats after no charges were filed over Wayne dog Ludwig’s death

ST. CHARLES TOWNSHIP — The Kane County sheriff and state’s attorney were threatened on social media and by phone earlier this year after criminal charges were not pursued against the Wayne village president’s husband for killing their neighbor’s dog Ludwig, records show.

Following an investigation by Sheriff Ron Hain’s office, State’s Attorney Jamie Mosser held a news conference on Sept. 15 announcing she would not pursue charges against Wayne Village President Eileen Phipps’ husband Hal Phipps because he shot the dog out of fear for his life.

The subsequent threats against Hain and Mosser stemming from that decision were revealed in government emails Geneva resident Joni Mallory obtained in response to an Oct. 12 Freedom of Information Act request. Mallory sought internal emails between Kane County employees and public safety officials on Sept. 15 and 16 — the time period immediately following Mosser’s announcement that she would not pursue charges in the case.

The Kane County Chronicle obtained the same emails from the county, which included an email from Kane County Sheriff’s Lt. Steven Collins, who stated he was sending the notice via email to deputies because the sheriff’s mobile BOLO — be on the lookout — notification system was having issues.

“State’s Attorney Mosser is already receiving the threats of harm/death for her and her family,” Collins’ email stated. “Please make a very conscious effort to over the next week or two, especially for the next few days, to patrol the neighborhood and bus stops and after school hours. … I felt it important enough to push immediately.”

Hain responded in an email a few minutes later that, “Your Sheriff is receiving the same nonsense, but my .50 cal is already tri-podded in the front window. Thanks for looking out for SA Mosser.”

In response to a text question from the Kane County Chronicle, Hain said his email comment about having a .50 caliber weapon on a tripod was not meant to be taken as serious.

“No, no guns were pointed out the window,” Hain responded in text message. “Very tongue/cheek. Just a smart comment to say, ‘Focus on the State’s Attorney’s house. The Sheriff can handle himself.’”

In an email statement, Mosser said when she was elected State’s Attorney, she was aware that not everyone would agree with her decisions – and that in the case of Ludwig’s shooting, “there were many passionate people searching for justice.”

“When I announced that we could not charge Mr. Phipps based on the evidence, it was no surprise that people would be upset,” Mosser’s email stated.

“However, it was disappointing that false allegations were made about me and the sheriff without a basis and that both Sheriff Hain and my life were threatened as if neither the truth nor we meant anything,” Mosser’s email stated. “It was sad for me to have police cars stationed outside of my house to protect the safety of my family. Despite the allegations and threats, I reached out to many of these individuals and spent hours walking Ludwig supporters through the evidence and the law.”

The dog’s shooting sparked an emotional response from many neighbors and supporters, including a candlelight vigil and a Facebook page. After the dog was shot and killed, “Justice for Ludwig” signs featuring the canine’s face sprouted up in neighborhoods in Kane and neighboring counties.

It’s unclear who made the specific threats against Hain and Mosser.

In an email, Mosser stated that despite differences of opinion, people should be able to listen to each other respectfully.

“I didn’t seek to have anyone charged with the threats because I understand that they came from passion and not with the intent to harm either of us,” Mosser’s email stated. “However, I hope this can be a learning experience for all and that our community can come back together to heal.”

All the threats were made via social media and phone calls to the office, Hain said.

The Sheriff’s Office has an intelligence team that scans social media and verbal threats made in phone calls to the office, Hain said, which prompted their action for extra patrols on Mosser’s behalf.

“One or two said what was done to Ludwig would be done to us — to the Sheriff and the State’s Attorney,” Hain said.

Hain said no reports were filed, nor charges pursued against those making the threats.

Wayne resident Ron Bowers, who was part of the Justice for Ludwig movement, said he was appalled that anyone would make threats against the sheriff or state’s attorney.

“I have no idea who these people are, but that’s not cool of them to be threatening anybody based on the outcome of any investigation,” Bowers said. “Nobody I know would support that.”

Joe Petit, who owned Ludwig, said making threats was not what “Justice for Ludwig” was about.

On Oct. 8, after he had been told about the threats, he posted on his Facebook page that the Justice for Ludwig movement did not support that.

“We would like to make it clear that we do not in support of nor do we condone threats intimidation or bullying of any kind to anyone,” Petit’s post stated. “That’s not what #JusticeForLudwig is about or why it began. … We are not giving up; we will continue to pursue all legal avenues to obtain #JusticeForLudwig.”

“It’s about peace, it’s about the truth and Justice for Ludwig,” Petit said. “And threatening a public official is not the way to do that.”