Yorkville PD Misconduct Investigation After Arrest Of Mother, Son

YORKVILLE, IL — An internal investigation is under way into the September 2017 arrest of an elderly woman and her son after Yorkville police responded to a disturbance at their home. The investigation concerns the conduct of several officers after a judge suppressed evidence in the case earlier this year, finding that the officers on the scene escalated the situation by "taunting the person who was obviously experiencing emotional distress."

Earlier this week, WSPY posted dash cam video from the Sept. 14 incident in which officers can be heard arguing with 44-year-old Tad Johnson after responding to a disturbance at mother Charlene Johnson's home on Overlook Court. Police said Tad Johnson and his mother were arguing, and that Tad Johnson was throwing garbage in the street.

After officers arrived, police said the mother and son locked themselves in their home before attempting to flee in a vehicle.

In the audio posted by WSPY, a male officer can be heard arguing with Tad Johnson, who is swearing and telling the police to get away from the door. "Come on out, make me move," an officer says. At one point, an officer can be heard telling the man, "Please, finish yourself off," before telling another officer that Johnson was choking himself. Police can also be heard making comments about Johnson still living with his mom.

"I'll beat your f****** ass," a man, apparently Tad Johnson, says, to which an officer replies, "Bring it."

Also on the dash cam audio, the mother can be heard telling police her son suffers from PTSD and that she has been trying to get him to a doctor.

The mother and son apparently tried to flee in a vehicle but were blocked by a squad car. Police ordered Tad Johnson out of the car and was shocked once with a Taser.

"He's getting cited for littering, that's for sure," an officer can be heard saying. " ... I got the Taser out, he's getting tased immediately."

In March, Kendall County Judge Stephen Krentz ordered all evidence from the arrests be suppressed and found that it was "unnecessary" to use the Taser on Johnson.

Yorkville Police Chief Rich Hart told WSYP he could not comment on the ongoing investigation.

Charlene Johnson, 71, was charged with obstructing a peace officer and resisting a peace officer, and Tad Johnson was arrested for disorderly conduct and resisting a peace officer. Both are due back in court July 11.

Photo via Shutterstock