Metro-east man found guilty of hitting another with a machete

A Collinsville man was found guilty of aggravated battery Tuesday after prosecutors said he struck another man with a machete during a Fourth of July gathering.

Jorge L. Barrera, 29, was convicted Tuesday in a bench trial of using the machete to hit the victim’s leg outside an apartment complex on July 4, 2024, according to a news release from Madison County State’s Attorney Tom Haine’s office.

Assistant State’s Attorneys Joseph Reames and Gina McNabnay told the court the attack followed an argument over a parking spot.

Reames said the victim began to walk away after an initial confrontation, but Barrera went to his vehicle, returned and swung the machete, the release said.

The victim was not seriously injured, prosecutors said.

Circuit Judge Amy Maher issued the verdict. Sentencing is pending. Aggravated battery is a Class 3 felony punishable by up to five years in prison under Illinois law, according to the release

This story was originally published June 23, 2026 at 6:16 PM.