A remark of “no cell phones inside the courthouse” was said to members of the press by 31-year old Angel Farmer of Peru after she was found guilty on battery and obstruction of justice charges. It took jurors a little less than two hours to find her guilty. “Accountability Angel” has been posting videos of herself on her YouTube page going into different government buildings and trying to challenge the boundaries of what’s allowed.
She and her brother Jacob were arrested on March 8th, 2021 after causing a commotion at the Etna Rd. Courthouse in Ottawa where Angel was accused of battering a peace officer. During the video, prosecutors said she was telling officers to arrest her and that she has a lawsuit coming if they do. After jurors heard testimony from three LaSalle County deputy security officers and Farmer herself, Prosecutor Jason Goode said in his closing statement Wednesday that Farmer getting herself arrested was the final goal to try and prove her point. He said the rules are clear like when a sign says no shirt, no shoes, and no service.
Farmer’s Attorney Wayne Slaughter said the state didn’t prove Farmer was guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, especially when she was the one that was battered and not the courthouse staff. He said courthouse security was touching her and she was telling an officer to stop. Assistant State’s Attorney Kelley Porter says Farmer had no reason to be at the courthouse on the 8th and forced the hands of the security officers to arrest her for the views on her YouTube page. She showed her picture taken at the LaSalle County Jail saying this is someone who got exactly what the wanted when she walked in. Farmer will be back in court on July 27th for sentencing.