FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

McHenry County State’s Attorney Randi L. Freese announced today that the Honorable Judge Cynthia Lamb granted the State’s petition to deny pretrial release for Fernando Contreras-Galvan, 34, of McHenry, Illinois. Contreras-Galvan appeared in Initial Appearance Court on August 4, 2026, charged with Aggravated Domestic Battery, causing great bodily harm and Aggravated Battery causing great bodily harm.

McHenry County State’s Attorney Randi L. Freese announced today that the Honorable Judge Cynthia D. Lamb granted the State’s petition to deny pretrial release for Fernando Contreras-Galvan, 34, of McHenry, Illinois. Contreras-Galvan appeared in Initial Appearance Court on August 4, 2026, charged with Aggravated Domestic Battery Causing Great Bodily Harm and Aggravated Battery Causing Great Bodily Harm.

Evidence presented during the detention hearing established that on the evening of August 3, 2026, Contreras-Galvan allegedly arrived at the victim's residence carrying a pizza. After entering the home, he allegedly retrieved a large kitchen knife before calling out to the victim, inviting him to come eat. Prosecutors alleged that Contreras-Galvan then walked towards the victim’s bedroom, and as the unsuspecting victim opened his bedroom door, Contreras-Galvan immediately attacked, stabbing him. While attempting to defend himself, the victim sustained a gruesome laceration to his arm.

Following the hearing, Judge Lamb found that the State had proven by clear and convincing evidence that the defendant poses a real and present threat to the safety of another person and ordered that he remain detained pending trial.

State's Attorney Randi L. Freese stated: "This was calculated violence. According to the evidence presented, the defendant used the simple act of sharing a meal to lure the victim into a brutal knife attack. Those who commit violent crimes in McHenry County should expect to be held accountable, and our office will continue to fight for victims and the safety of our community.

Contreras-Galvan's next court appearance is scheduled for August 11, 2026, in Courtroom 302.

This matter remains under investigation. Anyone with information regarding this incident is encouraged to contact the McHenry Police Department.

Members of the public are reminded that a criminal complaint contains only allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

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