Four guards indicted for running fight ring inside Illinois youth center

By Erika Wurst For Chronicle Media
Michael M. Klimek, of Yorkville, is accused of being the leader of a fight ring inside an Illinois juvenile home.

Michael M. Klimek, of Yorkville, is accused of being the leader of a fight ring inside an Illinois juvenile home.

An Illinois Youth Center Guard from Yorkville has been charged with more than 70 felonies after he was accused of being the ringleader of an alleged fighting ring inside the St. Charles juvenile justice facility.

According to the Kane County State’s Attorney’s Office, a total of four Illinois Youth Center guards have been indicted for encouraging juvenile detainees to attack other detainees as a form of discipline inside the youth center.

The men, Johan Asiata, Michael Klimek, Andre McFarland and Elliott Short, were each indicted on multiple counts Nov. 22 by a Kane County grand jury. An arrest warrant for each was issued immediately.

Kane County State’s Attorney Joe McMahon said that the allegations were reported to the Illinois Department of Corrections in late January 2016. IDOC asked the Illinois State Police to handle the investigation, and the defendants then were placed on paid administrative leave. According to the Illinois Department of Corrections, all were employed as juvenile justice specialists at the time of the alleged offenses.

Johan O. Asiata, 30, of Channahon

Johan O. Asiata, 30, of Channahon

Prosecutors alleged that on six days in January, Klimek allegedly led the other guards in encouraging certain detainees to attack others, and then stood by idly as the attacks occurred. The charges allege they are 10 victims involved in the activity.

Klimek, 40, of the 100 block of Tuma Road, Yorkville, who also works as a Deputy Coroner in Kendall County, faces the most charges.

He is charged with 53 counts of official misconduct, each a Class 3 felony, 18 counts of aggravated battery, each a Class 3 felony, three counts of unlawful restraint, each a Class 4 felony, one count of mob action, a Class 4 felony, and one count of theft, a Class A misdemeanor.

According to the indictments, he has been accused of intentionally failing to report a battery, grabbing, striking and pushing victims, committing unlawful restraint, committing theft, bringing contraband inside the facility, committing mob action and other criminal offenses.

A warrant was issued and Klimek was taken into custody Nov. 22 by the Illinois State Police. He posted $7,500 bond and was released Nov. 23 from the Kane County jail. His initial court appearance is set for 9 a.m. Dec. 5 in Courtroom 217 at the Kane County Judicial Center.

Andre McFarland, 31, of Rockford

Andre McFarland, 31, of Rockford

Three additional guards were charged.

Asiata, 30, of Channahon, is charged with five counts of official misconduct, each a Class 3 felony, two counts of aggravated battery, each a Class 3 felony, and one count of unlawful restraint, a Class 4 felony.  He was taken into custody Nov. 23 by the Illinois State Police. Asiata posted $5,000 bond and was released Nov. 24 from the Kane County jail.

McFarland, 31, of Rockford, Ill., is charged with eight counts of official misconduct, each a Class 3 felony, and one count of aggravated battery, a Class 3 felony. He was taken into custody Nov. 22 by the Illinois State Police. He posted $3,000 bond and was released Nov. 26 from the Kane County jail.

Elliott Short, 34, of St. Charles

Elliott Short, 34, of St. Charles

Short, 34, 1900 block of Oak Street, St. Charles, is charged with four counts of official misconduct, each a Class 3 felony, and two counts of aggravated battery, each a Class 3 felony. He was taken into custody Nov. 22 by the Illinois State Police. He posted $5,000 bond and was released Nov. 23 from the Kane County jail.

McMahon said that if convicted of the most serious offense, each of the defendants faces a sentence of probation or between two and five years in the Illinois Department of Corrections.

 

 

 

 

— Four guards indicted for running fight ring inside Illinois youth center —