Illinois Department of Corrections Employee Charged with Improper Sexual Contact with Child at Juvenile Correctional Center in Warrenville

DuPage County State’s Attorney Joe Birkett and Illinois State Police Director Larry Trent announced today that charges have been filed against an Illinois Department of Corrections employee at the Juvenile Detention Center in Warrenville for engaging in improper sexual activities with a 17 year old female who was in custody at this Detention Center where he worked.  Larry Johnson, 33 (d.o.b. 10/19/70) of Chicago was charged on Monday, May 24th with one (1) count of Criminal Sexual Assault, one (1) count of Custodial Sexual Misconduct and two (2) counts of Official Misconduct.  He appeared in bond court late Monday afternoon in Wheaton where Judge Bruce Kelsey set his bond at $500,000 – 10% to apply.

A complaint had been made recently by a civilian outside the Warrenville Juvenile Detention Center, alleging that an employee of the Center had engaged in inappropriate behavior with a young girl who had been in the custody of that facility.  This complaint resulted in an investigation being opened by the Illinois State Police. 

It has been alleged in the complaint that on December 21, 2002, Johnson, who served as an Illinois Department of Corrections Juvenile Detention employee, engaged in inappropriate sexual conduct with a female juvenile who was in custody at the Warrenville Juvenile Detention Center where he was employed.  At the time of the alleged acts, the defendant was serving in his official capacity and held a position of trust or authority over the victim.  He is alleged to have violated that trust by engaging in sexual intercourse with the victim in the early evening hours of that day. 

At the conclusion of this extensive investigation, State’s Attorney Birkett authorized charges against Johnson, including Criminal Sexual Assault, Custodial Sexual Misconduct and Official Misconduct.  He was taken into custody on Monday, May 24, 2004 by Officers of the Illinois State Police and transported to the DuPage County Jail in Wheaton.  Johnson appeared in bond court later that afternoon where Judge Bruce Kelsey set his bond at $500,000.

“The allegations charged against this defendant, if proven, amount to a gross disregard of the trust placed in him by the Illinois State Department of Corrections as well as the criminal justice system as a whole,” commented State’s Attorney Birkett.  “In his official capacity as a Corrections employee at the Warrenville Juvenile Detention Center, this defendant held a position of trust and authority over this victim, and according to these allegations, that trust was blatantly violated.”

“The announcement today of the arrest of Larry Johnson is yet another example of law enforcement officials working together.  This arrest sends a clear message that the law enforcement community will not tolerate individuals who abuse their positions to commit crimes,” said IL State Police Director Larry Trent. 

State’s Attorney Birkett praised the Illinois State Police for their thorough and professional investigation into this case, especially Master Sergeant Larry Lindenman, Agent Karl Saville and Agent Matt Konie.  He further thanked Assistant State’s Attorney Alex McGimpsey, Supervisor of the Domestic Violence/Child Abuse Unit of his office for his efforts in this investigation.

If found guilty of any of the charges filed against this defendant, the penalties include the following:

• Criminal Sexual Assault (Class 1 felony) -- 4 to 15 years in the IL Dept. of Corrections
• Custodial Sexual Misconduct (Class 3 felony) -- 2 to 5 years in the IL Dept. of  Corrections
• Official Misconduct(Class 3 felony) – 2 to 5 years in the IL Dept. of Corrections

The defendant’s next court date has been set for June 14, 2004 at 1:30 p.m. in courtroom 4006 before Judge George Bakalis for arraignment.

Members of the public are reminded that this complaint contains only charges and is not proof of the defendant’s guilt.  A defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial in which it is the government’s burden to prove his or her guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.