Case Against Sturtevant President Delayed Until May

The felony stalking case against Village President Steve Jansen will not be finished before he faces re-election in Sturtevant.

Jansen appeared in court Friday, where the case was set over to May 20. Jansen's defense said it needs about 90 days to finalize the resolution of the case, and the prosecutor also needs time to talk with the victim.

The year-old case stems from allegations that Jansen stalked his ex-girlfriend. She told police that in early 2011, she told Jansen she was no longer interested in a relationship with him, but that he continued to contact her by phone and email throughout the rest of that year. Charges were filed in February 2012.

According to the criminal complaint, Jansen sent the woman 10 or 11 email and text messages per day through early 2011 and beyond, culminating in a flurry of messages between Sept. 28 and Oct. 13, 2011. 

Jansen has been president since 2003, but would be barred from holding elected office if convicted of the felony charge. A conviction on the charge against him also carries the possibility of as much as 18 months in prison and two years on extended supervision.

He faces two challengers in Tuesday's primary election: former trustee Daryl Lynaugh and current Trustee John Johnson. The two two vote-getters will advance to the April 3 general election. The village president serves a two-year term with an annual salary of $8,500.