2018 Shooting Of 2 Will Co. Deputies: Johnson Sentenced To Prison

JOLIET, IL — Steven Johnson, a 65-year-old Joliet man who lived in the 200 block of South Richards Street, was sentenced to nine years in prison earlier this year for his role in a raid that resulted in a Will County Sheriff's sergeant being shot in his bullet-proof vest and another deputy being grazed in the arm.

Under a plea bargain with the Will County State's Attorney's Office, Johnson was convicted of unlawful possession of controlled substances with intent to deliver, unlawful use of a weapon by a convicted felon, and a third charge, unlawful use of a weapon by a convicted felon.

Johnson was given credit for the 861 days of being incarcerated in the Will County Jail from Oct. 18, 2018 until Feb. 22, 2021.

In October 2018, Will County Judge Art Smigielski set bail at $20 million for Kevin Waddell and Johnson after prosecutors said that Waddell shot Will County Sheriff's Sergeant Joel Swanson in the side and one of the bullets grazed the arm of sheriff's deputy Brandon Bailey during a drug raid at the apartment unit the two men shared in the 200 block of South Richards Street.

As a result of the raid, police recovered the following items, according to court testimony:

• one 9 mm gun
• one .22-caliber gun
• one revolver
• 128 rounds of live ammunition
• one unloaded shotgun
• 10 grams of cocaine

The Will County sheriff's sergeant who was shot was wearing a ballistic vest, according to prosecutors. Both deputies were members of Sheriff Mike Kelley's gang suppression unit.

Will County State's Attorney James Glasgow filed a total of 20 felony charges against the pair; most of the charges were against Waddell, who prosecutors say was the gunman.

Now 46 years old, Waddell faces two counts of attempted first-degree murder. Those charges carry a prison term of 20 to 80 years, if convicted.

While awaiting his trial, Waddell recently petitioned Will County Judge Daniel Rippy to grant him access to the personnel file and any disciplinary records and suspensions for Bailey, the deputy grazed in the arm by a bullet.

"The People assert that this is tantamount to a fishing expedition. The request for the entire personnel file, without limitations, is overbroad," argued Assistant State's Attorney Nicholas Plattos. "Ultimately, there has been no showing that these potential records have any relevance to this case."

Rippy rejected Waddell's motion, ruling that "The State's motion to quash the subpoena is granted. The court determines that there is nothing relevant to the ... matter contained in the returned subpoena."

Waddell has chosen not to have a jury trial in his case. Instead, Waddell's case has been set for a bench trial before Rippy starting Jan. 24.

He has remained in the Will County Jail since Oct. 17, 2018, facing a $20 million bail.

"We have to go! The police are here!" Waddell yelled to Johnson, a prosecutor told the judge at Waddell's bail hearing in October 2018.

Both men were captured in the front yard after they tried to run outside and get away, according to court testimony. At the time of his capture, Waddell "asked if the officer was OK," prosecutor Peter Wilkes told Will County Judge Art Smigielski back in October 2018.

Related Joliet Patch coverage:

$20M Bail In Shooting Of Will County Sheriff's Deputies