A Kewanee man accepted a plea deal on Tuesday that sends him to prison for 14 years for Obstructing Justice and Aggravated Battery to a Police Officer. Austin Norberg, 34, has been in the Henry County Jail since June of 2022 after he injured a Kewanee Police Officer during his arrest. The body cam footage released shows officers attempting to arrest Norberg on an active warrant when he pulled out a knife and put the knife to his own throat. Officers wrestled the knife away from Norberg but one Kewanee Police Officer required stitches for multiple knife wounds. Mr. Norberg requested a recommendation from the court for Addiction Evaluation Treatment while in the Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC). Judge Colby Hathaway said the court finds that the offenses were committed as a result of addition and recommends drug treatment in the IDOC.
Norberg plead guilty to Obstructing Justice and was sentenced to four years in IDOC, he must serve 50% of the sentence, six months Mandatory Supervised Release after released from IDOC, $75 fine plus assessments. Norberg plead guilty to Count 2 – Possession of Drug Paraphernalia and was sentenced to 364 days in the Henry County Jail with day-for-day credit and credit for time served and $75 fine plus assessments. Norberg plead guilty to Count 2 – Aggravated Battery to a Peace Officer and was sentenced to 10 years in IDOC, the sentence runs consecutive to the Obstructing Justice Sentence, he must serve 50% of the sentence, one year of Mandatory Supervised Release and fines and assessments. The remaining charges and cases are dismissed as part of the Plea agreement.
On January 19, 2022, a Henry County Sheriff’s Office Deputy made a traffic stop on a vehicle for no tail lights. The back seat passenger provided a false name after initially refusing to provide a name. The passenger was identified as Austin Norberg and was charged with Obstructing Justice (Class 4 Felony) (22CF23).
On January 21, 2022, Kewanee Police were dispatched to Walmart for a person inside the store with an active warrant. Austin Norberg was arrested and a baggie with suspected Methamphetamine was found on his person. Norberg was charged with Possession of Meth <5 Grams (Class 3 Felony) and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia (Class A Misdemeanor) (22CF24).
On June 26, 2022, Kewanee Police were dispatched to a gas station for subjects not paying for gas. Norberg initially gave a false name but was identified by a Kewanee Police Officer on scene and had an active warrant. While attempting to arrest Norberg, Norberg pulled a knife from his waist and put the knife to his own throat. A Kewanee Police officer received knife cuts to his hands while Officers wrestled the knife from Norberg. Norberg was charged with Armed Violence with a Category II Weapon (Class X Felony), Aggravated Battery to a Peace Officer (Class 2 Felony), Unlawful Possession of a Weapon by a Felon (Class 2 Felony), Aggravated Battery/Great Bodily Harm (Class 3 Felony) and Aggravated Battery (Class 2 Felony) (22CF205).
