By Willow Moss | Moss and Ink | Published September 22, 2026 | Updated October 2, 2026
OTTAWA, Ill. — Karon D. Johnson of Streator pleaded guilty September 11, 2026, to one count of aggravated criminal sexual abuse in LaSalle County Circuit Court, admitting to conduct that occurred in November 2024. A second count, dated December 1, 2024, was dismissed the same day. Johnson was sentenced the same day to 48 months of probation and 60 days in the LaSalle County Jail. The case was heard before Judge H. Chris Ryan Jr.
Case Status
Current status: Closed — sentenced
Plea: Guilty, Count 1 (Sept. 11, 2026); Count 2 dismissed
Charges: Two counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse, 720 ILCS 5/11-1.60(d), Class 2 felony
Case number: 2025CF000069
Sentence: 48 months probation; 60 days in LaSalle County Jail; $2,589 in fines, costs and fees ($1,389 in fines and costs, $1,200 in probation fees); the docket also lists a “Special Facility Attendance/Residence” condition. A $1,314 assessment fee waiver was entered September 18, 2026.
Custody status: Out of custody on a notice to appear, then on pretrial release conditions, while the case was pending. Sentenced to 60 days in the LaSalle County Jail; a jail order and an order releasing him to probation were both entered September 11, 2026.
Court: LaSalle County Circuit Court
Presiding judge: H. Chris Ryan Jr.
Last updated: October 2, 2026
Incident Overview
Dates: November 21, 2024, and December 1, 2024
Location: Streator area, LaSalle County
Victim: A minor under the applicable statute; not otherwise identified in the public docket
The docket for case 2025CF000069 does not include a probable cause affidavit or narrative summary of the underlying conduct. Court records show the two counts stem from separate dates 10 days apart in late 2024. Moss and Ink Local is not naming, describing, or speculating about the alleged victim’s identity or relationship to Johnson, consistent with this publication’s standard practice in cases involving a minor.
Arrest & Charges
Johnson, then 25, was charged February 14, 2025. He was not held in custody: the docket shows he was out of custody on a notice to appear, and an order setting conditions of pretrial release was entered at his first appearance on March 6, 2025. A LaSalle County grand jury indicted him February 25, 2025, on two counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse, a Class 2 felony under 720 ILCS 5/11-1.60(d) — the subsection of Illinois’ sex-offense statute that applies when the victim is between 13 and 16 years old and the offender is at least five years older. Johnson was represented over the course of the case by the LaSalle County Public Defender’s Office, with Public Defender Ryan Hamer present at his arraignment and Assistant Public Defenders Heidi Nelson and Doug Kramarsic appearing afterward; the state was represented by Assistant State’s Attorneys Greg Sticka, Kelley Porter, Matt Kidder, Laura Hall, and Jason Goode. Shaw Local’s February 26, 2025 grand jury roundup listed Johnson, 25, of Streator, among the week’s indicted defendants.
Evidence & Allegations
Johnson’s case never reached an evidentiary hearing. The public docket contains procedural entries — arraignment, continuances, discovery and plea settings — with no evidentiary hearing or exhibit log on file. Johnson told the court at his first appearance that he would try to hire private counsel, spent three months attempting to do so, and was arraigned June 6, 2025, when the court found him indigent, appointed the Public Defender, and he pleaded not guilty. The case was set for a jury trial before that setting was stricken in October 2025. At a May 14, 2026 plea setting, his attorney told the court the parties had not reached an agreement and that Johnson was again seeking private counsel, and the case was reset for a July 27, 2026 jury trial. That trial date was stricken July 24, and the case resolved with his September 11, 2026 guilty plea to Count 1 and the dismissal of Count 2.
Case Timeline & Proceedings
Feb. 14, 2025 — Charged
Johnson was charged with two counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse. The State filed a petition for conditions of pretrial release, and a notice of first appearance was issued for March 6, 2025.
Feb. 25, 2025 — Grand jury indictment
A LaSalle County grand jury indicted Johnson on both counts; Shaw Local reported the indictment in its weekly grand jury roundup. The docket notes he was out of custody on a notice to appear.
March 6 – May 14, 2025 — Seeking private counsel
Johnson was advised of the charges and told the court he would try to hire private counsel. An order setting conditions of pretrial release was entered March 6. The case was continued three times, to April 10, May 14 and June 6, while he looked for an attorney.
June 6, 2025 — Arraignment
The court found Johnson indigent and appointed the Public Defender. Johnson pleaded not guilty, and a jury trial was set for October 6, 2025.
Oct. 3, 2025 — Jury trial stricken
At a final pretrial hearing, the defense asked for a continuance, which was granted without objection. The jury trial setting was stricken and the case continued on a status basis through April 2026, when it was set for a plea.
May 14, 2026 — Plea negotiations fail
A scheduled plea hearing ended without an agreement; his attorney told the court Johnson was again seeking private counsel. The case was reset for a final pretrial July 24 and a jury trial July 27, 2026.
July 24, 2026 — Jury trial stricken again
A defense motion to strike the jury trial setting was granted at a final pretrial hearing, and the case was set for a plea August 7. That plea date was continued by agreement to September 11.
Sept. 11, 2026 — Guilty plea and sentencing
Johnson pleaded guilty to Count 1; Count 2 was dismissed. The parties waived a sentencing hearing and a presentence investigation report. He was sentenced the same day to 48 months of probation, 60 days in jail, and $2,589 in fines, costs and fees.
Sept. 18, 2026 — Fee waiver
The court entered a $1,314 waiver of assessments under the Criminal and Traffic Assessment Act.
This report is based on the LaSalle County Circuit Court docket for case number 2025CF000069, reviewed October 2, 2026, and Shaw Local’s February 26, 2025 grand jury report. Moss and Ink Local does not identify alleged victims in cases involving minors and has omitted case details not made part of the public record.
—Willow Moss