4 Juvenile Detention Guards Encouraged Youths To Attack Each Other: Prosecutor
(STMW) -- Four guards at the Illinois Youth Center in west suburban St. Charles are facing felony charges for encouraging juvenile residents to attack each other.
Johan O. Asiata, 30; Michael M. Klimek, 40; Andre L. McFarland, 31; and Elliott J. Short, 34, were indicted on multiple counts by a grand jury on Nov. 22, according to the Kane County state's attorney's office.
The guards, led by Klimek, encouraged certain juvenile residents to physically attack other residents, facilitated the attacks and stood idly by and watched as they happened, prosecutors said. The attacks, involving 10 victims, happened Jan. 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 and 28.
The allegations were reported to the Illinois Department of Corrections in late January and IDOC asked Illinois State Police to handle the investigation, prosecutors said. All four guards were placed on paid administrative leave.
Asiata, of Channahon, was charged with five counts of official misconduct, two counts of aggravated battery and one count of unlawful restraint, all felonies, prosecutors said. He was taken into custody Nov. 23, posted $5,000 bond and was released the next day from the Kane County Jail. He is next scheduled to appear in court Dec. 8.
Klimek, of Yorkville, was charged with 53 felony counts of official misconduct, 18 felony counts of aggravated battery, three felony counts of unlawful restraint, one felony count of mob action and one misdemeanor count of theft, prosecutors said. He was arrested Nov. 22, posted $7,500 bond and was released the same day from the Kane County Jail. He is next scheduled to appear in court Dec. 5.
McFarland, of Rockford, was charged with eight counts of official misconduct and one count of aggravated battery, all felonies, according to prosecutors said. He was taken into custody Nov. 22, posted $3,000 bond and was released Nov. 26 from the Kane County Jail. He is next scheduled to appear in court Nov. 30.
Short, of St. Charles, was charged with four counts of official misconduct and two counts of aggravated battery, all felonies, according to prosecutors. He was taken into custody Nov. 22, posted $5,000 bond and was released the next day from the Kane County Jail. He is next scheduled to appear in court Dec. 7.
If convicted of the most serious offense, each faces a sentence of probation or between two and five years in prison, prosecutors said.
(Source: Sun-Times Media Wire copy; Chicago Sun-Times 2016. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
