Crystal Lake man charged with recklessly shooting gun ‘into the darkness outside’ a garage

A 49-year-old Crystal Lake was charged with recklessly discharging a firearm twice, court records show.

Victor Taras, 49, of the 3600 block of Fawn Trail, Crystal Lake, was accused of shooting a firearm Jan. 8 from a home’s garage “into the darkness outside” without knowing physically where another person was and in close proximity to other residences, according to the criminal complaint.

The home is in Prairie Grove’s jurisdiction, but the McHenry County Sheriff’s Office responded since Prairie Grove did not have any officers on shift, sheriff’s office spokeswoman Emily Matusek said. No damage from the bullets was reported.

The charge is a Class 4 felony, which typically carries a possible sentence of one to three years in prison but also is probational.

Taras was ordered to turn over his firearms to the McHenry County Sheriff’s Office once released from jail. His bond was set at $10,000, of which he needed to post 10% to be released.

He was released from custody Jan. 9 and is due back in court Jan. 30, court records show.

Taras did not have an attorney listed in court records as of Friday afternoon.