56 guns seized from Illinois lawyer who shoved a lady cop, tried to duel client

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A Crystal Lake attorney has been charged with multiple felonies after authorities said he drove under the influence of alcohol while in possession of a loaded gun and then was found to have dozens of weapons in his home despite losing his concealed carry license and firearm owner's identification card.

Authorities seized 36 high-powered rifles, assault rifles and shotguns, as well as 20 handguns of various types and thousands of rounds of ammunition from the home of Donald F. Franz, according to a Crystal Lake police news release.

The search was done Friday with a warrant obtained after police arrested Franz the previous night while responding to a report of a possibly intoxicated motorist, authorities said. They said they found Franz in a car along North Williams Street and that he became "uncooperative and combative with police." According to the complaint filed in McHenry County court, Franz, whose driver's license had been suspended, pushed the arresting officer "in the body with both hands, resulting in an injury to her finger."

Police also said that they discovered Franz was in possession of a loaded firearm and that additional rounds of ammunition were in the vehicle.

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Additionally, Franz was charged with aggravated DUI, aggravated battery to a police officer and aggravated resisting a police officer, all felonies, as well as unlawful possession of a suspended driver's license and carrying a concealed firearm while under the influence, police said.

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But Franz has a pending case in front of the state's Attorney Registration & Disciplinary Commission stemming in part from a claim by a client that, during a dispute over a legal fee, Franz "insulted (the client's) manhood and choice of automobiles," calling him a crude name and later challenging him to a duel, according to the commission's complaint against Franz.

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"Can you please tell me where you would like to be served?" the email in question from Franz to the client read, according to the complaint. "Fee agreements are not required in these matters and not between men. My mistake, there is only one man involved between us. I challenge you to a duel, you pick the time, place and manner. I choose small claims court. See you very soon."

In the complaint, the Attorney Registration & Disciplinary Commission also said that, once the agency opened the disciplinary case against Franz, he left several threatening voicemails to commission officials.

"When I get cancer, I am going to kill you with my bare hands," said one voicemail, according to the complaint.

In another voicemail message, the complaint said, the caller identified himself as Don Franz and said: "I'm the attorney you are trying to murder. ... So the day you suspend me, I'm going to stop taking my pills, I'm going to get my affairs in order, I am going to kill you. Have a nice day."

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