Joliet Sex Offender In His 60s Visits Rock Run Forest Preserve Off Black Road: Complaint

JOLIET, IL — It is not uncommon for convicted sex offenders to visit the Will County Forest Preserves even though it is against the law; Joliet Patch has written numerous stories about previous arrests. The latest Joliet sex offender to face criminal charges is Joe Willie Johnson, a 66-year-old who comes from the 200 block of Joliet's Mississippi Avenue, on the east side.

According to the recent criminal complaint, Johnson is now charged with the crime of child sex offender in a public park. The incident happened on Dec. 11. According to the court files, Johnson was knowingly present at a public park, the Rock Run Forest Preserve in Joliet along Black Road on Dec. 11. Forest Preserve Officer Mosier was responsible for the arrest, court files show. The incident happened at 3:27 p.m. and Johnson was driving a red 2008 Chevrolet passenger car.

"Sexual predator in prohibited zone," Johnson's Forest Preserve citation reads.

Incidentally, Johnson is not listed anywhere on the Illinois State Police sexual offender registry. However, Will County Courthouse files indicate that Johnson was arrested by Joliet police way back in 1996 and he was subsequently convicted of multiple sexual assault crimes. The court documents indicate that Will County's judicial system sentenced Johnson to probation and that his efforts to overturn his convictions on appeal were rejected by the appeals courts in Illinois.

After Johnson's Dec. 11 arrest, the Will County Forest Preserve Police let him go; under the Illinois SAFE-T-Act, the crime of child sex offender in a public park is not a detainable offense.

According to court files, Johnson made his first visit to the Will County Courthouse in connection with his new charge this past week, on Dec. 29. He remains free pending his next court appearance, set for Jan. 27. For now, Johnson must "have no contact directly or indirectly with the following ... geographical areas or premises: Rock Run Preserve, 3669 Black Road, Joliet," his court records reflect.