DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert B. Berlin announced on Thursday, July 28, 2022 that John Coakley, age 59, of the 2S600 block of Westbury Court, Warrenville, has been charged with one count of Misdemeanor Public Indecency-Lewd Exposure. Wednesday afternoon, a $2,000 personal recognizance arrest warrant was issued for Coakley. He turned himself in to authorities this morning and was released following processing. Coakley is the City Administrator for the city of Warrenville.
According to the complaint, the suspect was Lifetime Fitness in Warrenville on Sunday, July 24, 2022. According to the DuPage County State’s Attorney’s Office, at approximately 9:15 p.m., while at Lifetime Fitness in Warrenville, Coakley “knowingly performed an act of lewd exposure” in the men’s locker room. An investigation into the matter conducted by the DuPage County State’s Attorney’s Office led to his charges.
“The allegations in this case are disturbing and if proven true, the defendant will be held accountable for his actions. I thank the Warrenville Police Department for bringing this matter to our attention. I also thank Assistant State’s Attorney Helen Kapas for her work on this case.”
— DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert B. Berlin
Coakley’s next court appearance is scheduled for August 29, 2022, in front of Judge Monique O’Toole.
Members of the public are reminded that this complaint contains only charges and is not proof of the defendant’s guilt. A defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial in which it is the government’s burden to prove his or her guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Public indecency is covered in the Illinois Criminal Code at 720 ILCS 5/11-30. The statute provides that the crime of public indecency applies people who are 17 years-old and older. Any person who is 16 years old or younger is immune from prosecution for public indecency. However, the Illinois courts have allowed the State to prosecute minors for disorderly conduct (720 ILCS 5/26-1), typically based on the same type of behavior for which an adult would be charged with public indecency.
A person who is 17 years-old or older can be charged with public indecency under either of the following circumstances occur in a public place …
they performed an act of sexual penetration or sexual conduct, or
they exposed their body in a lewd manner with the intent to arouse or to satisfy sexual desire.
Public indecency is a Class A misdemeanor. A person convicted of a third or subsequent violation for public indecency is guilty of a Class 4 felony. Public indecency is a Class 4 felony if committed by a person 18 years of age or older who is on or within 500 feet of elementary or secondary school grounds when children are present on the grounds.
The City of Warrenville announced on Thursday, July 28, 2022, “Upon learning of his arrest on Sunday evening, the City immediately placed Mr. Coakley on temporary paid administrative leave, pending further inquiry. The Mayor has named Assistant City Administrator Cristina White to serve as acting city administrator.”
The statement added, “Mr. Coakley’s alleged misconduct occurred during non-work time. Nonetheless, the City is taking this matter very seriously given the leadership role Mr. Coakley has with the City of Warrenville.”
According to a GovSalaries.com review of public records, John Coakley in 2021 was employed in the City of Warrenville and had an annual salary of $177,564. GovSalary.com reported the salary is 121 percent higher than average and 132 percent higher than median salary in City of Warrenville.
See also …
Illinois General Assembly
(720 ILCS 5/11-30) (was 720 ILCS 5/11-9) Sec. 11-30. Public indecency.
^^ MOBILE? USE VOICE MIC ^^
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