Bartlett Man Nabbed in Child Solicitation Sting: Prosecutor

EVERGREEN PARK, IL -- A Bartlett man who thought he was on his way to hook up with an underage girl he met on social media was arrested by Evergreen Park police in a McDonald’s parking lot, prosecutors said. Bradley R. Johnson, 29, appeared before Cook County Judge Donald Havis on felony charges of child poronography, traveling to meet a minor and indecent solicitation of a child. He has no prior criminal background.

According to the charges, Evergreen Park police noticed Johnson attempting to solicit an underage girl for sex on the Whisper, an anonymous social media app that allows users to “share their real thoughts.” The prosecutor said Evergreen Park detectives, posing as a 15-year-old girl, soon began communicating with Johnson, who used the the name “Yellow_Knight” on Whisper.

From Nov. 16 to Nov. 25, the prosecutor said Johnson began communicating with the teen via text. Johnson allegedly texted a photo of his penis and asked the girl to send him some pictures of herself. Johnson reportedly propositioned the teen several times, “including penetration,” the prosecutor said.

Johnson, communicating with the undercover detectives, made arrangements to meet the girl in the Evergreen Park area, the prosecutor said. The first location fell through, so police waited for Johnson at the McDonald’s at 103rd Street and Kedzie Avenue in Chicago. The prosecutor said police recognized Johnson’s car from the description he gave to the girl when it pulled into the lot. Johnson was taken into police custody.

Police texted Johnson’s phone on the scene. Johnson unlocked his phone and let officers look at his texts to the supposed 15-year-old girl, including the picture of his penis, the prosecutor said. He allegedly admitted to police that he knew he communicating with a minor.

Johnson’s attorney said his client graduated from Neuqua Valley High School in Naperville and works full-time as a diesel mechanic. The attorney said Johnson had no prior criminal background and asked for a reasonable bond.

Bail was set at $50,000. Johnson is also forbidden from being with minors and using the Internet while his case is pending. His next court date is Dec. 14.