JERSEYVILLE – A Brighton resident faces felony and misdemeanor charges in Jersey County after reportedly attacking another individual with a butter knife.
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Dakota L. Harris, 24, of Brighton, was charged on July 7, 2026 with a Class 3 felony count of aggravated battery and a Class A misdemeanor count of battery.
The day prior on July 6, Harris allegedly struck another individual in the face with a closed fist and cut the same victim with a butter knife.
The Jersey County State’s Attorney’s Office filed a petition to deny Harris’s pretrial release from custody. The petition states Harris has been charged with a forcible felony offense that involved the “infliction of great bodily harm,” and that his release would pose a “real and present threat” to any person or persons in the community.
A fitness evaluation was ordered on July 8, 2026 to determine Harris’s ability to stand trial. He has been remanded to the custody of the Jersey County Sheriff’s Office pending his fitness hearing.
All individuals charged are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
