Man accused of putting state trooper in chokehold, reaching for a gun

An East St. Louis man has been charged with attempted first-degree murder based on Illinois State Police troopers’ allegations from a traffic stop earlier this month.

Troopers Cade Cruse and Blake Jones accused Samuel C. Swanson Jr., 37, of placing Cruse in a chokehold, wrestling the officer to the ground and reaching multiple times in the direction of Jones’ gun.

An Illinois State Police spokesperson said the traffic stop happened around 10:15 p.m. on June 4.

Swanson denied the allegations in a June 9 hearing related to his pretrial release, according to an order from St. Clair County Associate Judge Sara Rice.

During the hearing, the prosecution alleged that troopers stopped Swanson because he was speeding, he had a warrant, officers observed alcohol containers and smelled alcohol, and Swanson resisted arrest.

Rice ordered Swanson to stay in jail until his trial.

Court records show St. Clair County Public Defender Cathy MacElroy is representing Swanson. She could not immediately be reached for comment.

St. Clair County State’s Attorney Jim Gomric initially charged Swanson with aggravated battery, a Class 1 felony; attempted disarming of a peace officer, a Class 2 felony; aggravated battery, a Class 2 felony; and resisting, a Class 4 felony.

The attempted first-degree murder charge was added June 12 when Swanson was indicted by a grand jury.

Swanson was arraigned Thursday. His next court date is not yet listed in court records.