Dieterich Man Sentenced to 15 Years

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Published on December 11 2019 9:29 am
Last Updated on December 16 2019 9:22 am
Written by Matt Robinson

61-year-old Keith Johnson was given 15 years by Judge Allan Lolie at his sentencing hearing yesterday afternoon. In November Johnson admitted to taking improper actions against a girl under the age of 13 at his home in Dieterich in September 2018. Johnson initially faced two separate counts of the same offense, but one of the counts was dismissed as part of a negotiated plea agreement.

Keith Johnson

The remaining count had a possible penalty of six to 60 years had Johnson been found guilty in a trial. Instead, Johnson agreed to a cap of 30 years in prison as the maximum sentence he could face in exchange for the guilty plea. Effingham County State's Attorney Bryan Kibler pushed for the 30 years prison sentence while Johnson’s attorney, Walter Ding, requested an eight to nine year term based on Johnson’s cooperation during the investigation, remorse, and that he has taken responsibility for his actions.

Judge Lolie handed down the 15 year sentence and ordered that Johnson be placed under three years of mandatory supervision after his release. Johnson was given credit for 194 days served in the Effingham County Jail and will be taken into custody by the Illinois Department of Corrections.