PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) -- A man who was charged last year with punching a Peoria police officer in the face was found not guilty but mentally ill.

According to court records, the verdict came after a one-day bench trial before Peoria County Circuit Judge Steve Kouri. It means Eric Anderson, 34, who was charged last year with aggravated battery to a police officer, will be committed to the state's Department of Human Services for treatment.

According to court records, Anderson was found sleeping at the Twins Tower Mall in Downtown Peoria at about 7:45 a.m. He refused to leave. Officers also learned he had a warrant for his arrest.

When he learned the officers knew that, he "lunged at one of the officers, punching him multiple times in the face and knocking him to the ground," according to t

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