Rokusek pleads not guilty at arraignment; case placed on January jury docket

QUINCY — A Quincy man who allegedly recorded more than 200 videos of people in a locker room/restroom area without their permission while they were showering or changing clothes pled not guilty Tuesday morning.

John Rokusek, 60, was arraigned in Adams County Circuit Court by Judge Amy Lannerd. He appeared with his attorney, Denny Woodward.

The case was placed on the January jury docket.

A 402 conference — a meeting behind closed doors with Lannerd, Woodward and assistant state’s attorney Josh Jones — was held Sept. 29. The meeting takes place at the request of the defendant and the consent of the prosecutor. At the conclusion, the judge can make a recommendation about what an appropriate sentence should be so the case can be resolved without going to trial.

Rokusek was arrested on Nov. 5, 2021. He is charged with nine counts of unauthorized video recording on Sept. 19, 2021; Aug. 16, 2020; Nov. 16, 2020; Dec. 27, 2020; Oct. 24, 2021; Nov. 1, 2021; Nov. 2, 2021; and twice on Nov. 4, 2021. Each count is a Class 4 felony and carries a sentence of one to three years in the Department of Corrections.

Rokusek is eligible for truth in sentencing at the rate of 50 percent. He is eligible for probation.

Rokusek allegedly committed the crimes at Rokusek Design, a business he owned at 519 S. 18^th. Several former employees were in attendance on Tuesday. 

After posting 10 percent of his $10,000 bond, Rokusek was allowed to travel to Pennsylvania for treatment purposes. He since has left Quincy and now lives in the Soulard area of St. Louis.

Three civil suits have been filed against Rokusek Design as well.

The first suit was filed Jan. 20 in Adams County Circuit Court on behalf of an unnamed plaintiff by Mariah Garcia, an attorney with Loevy & Loevy in Chicago. The plaintiff, a 33-year-old Quincy resident identified as “Jane Doe” in the suit, claims she has lost wages (bonuses), a potential reduction or loss of earning ability, and substantial emotional pain and suffering.

Two other civil suits were filed March 31 — one by Rachel Hahn and Jordan Hahn, and one by Jenna Jones and Stephen Jones.