A Kane County corrections officer faces criminal charges for engaging in sexual activity with a jail inmate.

Kane County prosecutors have charged 52-year-old John H. Johnson with the offenses of:

• Criminal sexual assault, Class 1 felony
• Custodial sexual misconduct, Class 3 felony
• Official misconduct, Class 3 felony, 2 counts

Kane County State’s Attorney Joe McMahon alleges in charging documents that on June 23, 2018, Johnson, a penal system employee, sexually assaulted the victim, who was in custody in the Kane County jail at the time.

According to Kane County Sheriff Donald Kramer, the incident was reported to sheriff’s office officials on June 25. Johnson was placed on administrative leave when he reported to work June 26.

Kramer asked the Kane County Major Crimes Task Force to conduct the investigation in accordance with Illinois’ Police and Community Relations Improvement Act of 2015, which requires an independent investigation in allegations of misconduct.

Kramer said Johnson has worked as a Kane County corrections officer since February 2004, and that Johnson was assigned to booking and intake at the time of the incident. Johnson remains of administrative leave.

A judge on July 20, 2018, issued a warrant for Johnson’s arrest and set his bail at $150,000 with 10 percent ($15,000), to apply for bond. Johnson surrendered to authorities the evening of July 20 and was taken into custody. He appeared this morning in Kane County bond court. Johnson’s next court appearance was set for July 26, 2018, in front of Associate Judge David Kliment in Courtroom 217 at the Kane County Judicial Center.

If convicted of the most serious offense, Johnson faces a sentence of between four and 15 years’ imprisonment in the Illinois Department of Corrections.

“We as public safety officers are obligated to seek justice for all of the public, including those who themselves are accused of compromising public safety,” McMahon said. “I appreciate the hard-working men and women of the Kane County Sheriff’s Office who carry out this important role, and who understand that those who fail to do so must be held accountable.”

Kramer said his office does not tolerate officer misconduct and takes all such allegations seriously.

“I expect all officers and staff to treat all members of the community with dignity and respect,” he said. “I appreciate the professionalism of the Kane County Major Crimes Task Force in this investigation.”

The charges against Johnson are not proof of guilt. Johnson is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial in which it is the state’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

SOURCE: Kane County State’s Attorney’s Office news release. To follow news releases directly from the SAO, visit the State’s Attorney’s website and Facebook page. All photos are from the KCSAO Facebook Page.