2 Dogs Kicked, Joliet Victim Grabbed By Neck: Prosecutors Win Bid To Have Man Jailed Under SAFE-T Act

JOLIET, IL — Will County Associate Judge Derek Ewanic has ordered a 46-year-old Joliet man accused of domestic violence detained under the SAFE-T-Act. Travares Williams is accused of putting his arms around his victim, knowing she's pregnant with twins, and grabbing her by the neck.

The Will County State's Attorney's Office has charged Williams with aggravated battery and domestic battery. "The defendant has two prior convictions for domestic battery, one that was dismissed because the victim failed to appear and seven unreported acts of domestic violence to this same victim. Each of the prior reported domestics are different victims," the prosecutors informed Judge Ewanic. "The defendant is a threat to the named victim, the unborn children, as well as the community in general."

According to the prosecution's filing, Joliet police officer Jenny Manashirov was sent to the 100 block of North Nicholson Street for a domestic incident on Oct 14. The officer saw Williams, who appeared agitated and indicated nothing had happened, and claimed he had been sleeping, court files show.

Next, the officer talked with a woman who indicated she had been dating Williams for seven-and-a-half years, and she is now four months pregnant with twins. Prosecutors say she explained they were packing up their apartment to move out when Williams began to touch her. She advised him she was not interested in any physical contact, and Williams became upset and started kicking their two dogs, court files allege.

The pregnant woman told Williams to stop kicking the dogs, and "he became angrier and grabbed her neck with his right hand ... Victim advised there have been seven prior physical incidents she has never reported due to fear. Victim is afraid of defendants because he threatens to kill her," prosecutors told Judge Ewanic.

As for Williams, this marks his fourth time in the Will County Jail since 2019. He was jailed in 2023 and twice in 2023.