On February 15, 2023, at approximately 4:15 p.m., Maseo B. Rosser, 22, of the 200 block of West Oak Lane, Winthrop Harbor, was in court, being sentenced on a 2020 criminal charge of aggravated discharge of a firearm.  Rosser was out on bail prior to the sentencing.  During the sentencing, a Lake County Judge sentenced Rosser to seven years and six months in the Illinois Department of Corrections.

A Lake County Sheriff’s Court Officer began the process of taking Rosser into custody.  Rosser attacked the court officer, punched him in the face and headbutted him.  Another court officer and two deputies who were in the courtroom were eventually able to subdue Rosser, although he continued to resist arrest for several minutes.

After being subdued, Rosser verbally threatened a local police officer, who was in the courtroom and just provided testimony at the sentencing hearing.

Rosser was taken into custody and remanded to the Lake County Jail, prior to being transferred to the Illinois Department of Corrections.

The court officer sustained a broken nose as a result of the attack.

Rosser’s violent actions were reviewed by the Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office and the following charges were approved:

Aggravated Battery to a Peace Officer (Class 2 Felony)

Resisting a Peace Officer Causing Injury (Class 4 Felony)

Aggravated Assault (Class 4 Felony)

Rosser is scheduled to appear in court today on his new charges.

Sheriff John D. Idleburg said, “Instead of accepting accountability for his past actions, this individual made the poor choice to attack our staff, which is nothing short of cowardly.  I, along with all of our staff, are wishing our court officer a speedy recovery, and we look forward to having him back at work soon.”

All defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.