Man Pleads Guilty to Failing to Report Friend Missing on Gages Lake

A man who failed to report to authorities that his friend was missing in the waters of Gages Lake last June plead guilty in Lake County court Tuesday to one count of attempted obstruction of justice, reported the Daily Herald.

Eric W. Oomens, 46, of unincorporated Lake County, was sentenced to a year of probation, a $200 fine and nearly $3,000 in court fees, according to the Daily Herald. Oomens is also required to participate in required drug and alcohol programs, perform 100 hours of community service and pay the Grayslake Fire Department restitution of $1,000 for its rescue operation.

Grayslake Patch previously reported the body of victim Richard Stoneking, 44, of Park City, was recovered from Gages Lake on June 19 by the Lake County and McHenry County Specialized Response Team, the day after he and Oomens were out on a pontoon boat and decided to take a swim.

Oomens told authorities while they were swimming the board drifted away, so they began to swim for shore. When he reached the shore, said Oomens, Stoneking was nowwhere to be seen.

That night, the Lake County Sheriff’s Office responded to a call reporting a man had come out of the water and said he was looking for his friend, then fled the scene.

The Grayslake Fire Department then began a boat search of the lake, while sheriff's deputies attempted to locate the man who turned out to be Oomens.

A family member later reported Stoneking missing to the sheriff's department.

Oomens was charged with failure to stop or comply with requirements involving an accident, collision, casualty duty to report and render aid, a Class 2 Felony, according to the Lake County Sheriff's Office.

The Daily Herald reported Oomens' plea deal saved him from going to prison for up to three years had he been convicted on the felony charge.

Body Recovered From Gages Lake Identified