‘Kill me now, your honor, and take my life please’: $15 million bond for Yohn believed to be highest ever in Adams County

QUINCY — As Judge Tad Brenner read Tuesday afternoon the details of one count of alleged aggravated criminal sexual assault committed Nov. 9, Bradley S. Yohn interrupted to say, “You’ve got the wrong person, your honor.”

And near the end of his first appearance in Adams County Circuit Court, Yohn blurted out, “Kill me now, your honor, and take my life please.”

Yohn, 34, of Springfield, Ill., appeared in court first, and Karen Blackledge, 33, of Quincy, made her first appearance afterward. Both face home invasion, aggravated kidnapping, aggravated vehicular hijacking, aggravated criminal sexual assault and residential burglary charges.

Yohn and Blackledge were arrested Nov. 10 by the United States Marshal’s Violent Fugitive Apprehension Unit in Springfield, Ill., and Yohn’s bond was set at $10 million. Brenner increased Yohn’s bond to $15 million. State’s Attorney Gary Farha said he believes that be the highest bond ever set in Adams County.

Blackledge’s bond remains unchanged at $5 million.

After hearing deliberation from Assistant State’s Attorney Laura Keck and Andrew Mays from the Adams County Public Defender’s Office, Brenner was reviewing a report from the probation department that provided background on Yohn’s background.

“What we have is a striking criminal history,” Brenner said.

He noted Yohn has faced criminal charges “for serious offenses” in Illinois in Adams, Morgan, Pike, Scott, Sangamon and Hancock counties, as well as Marion and Audrain counties in Missouri.

“What I find to be most disturbing is the pending charge from St. Charles County, Missouri,” Brenner said. “Mr. Yohn shouldn’t have been out.”

Yohn was charged with unlawful possession of a firearm as a dangerous felon, and an arrest warrant was issued on Oct. 19, with bond set at $50,000. However, Yohn was released by mistake from the Department of Corrections in St. Charles County.

“He was released the day after being served the warrants,” Keck said after the hearing. “So they issued another arrest warrant on Oct. 20 after he was mistakenly released.”

Keck then paused, sighed and said, “Yeah.”

Yohn now faces one count of vehicular hijacking, a Class X felony punishable for between six to 30 years, after allegedly taking a motor vehicle from a woman on Oct. 31. 

He faces six counts in connection with an incident on Nov. 9 along North Bottom Road in Adams County. He has been charged with two counts of home invasion, and one count each of aggravated kidnapping (allegedly using a knife), aggravated vehicular hijacking— all Class X felonies punishable for between six to 30 years in prison. He also has been charged with aggravated criminal sexual assault for knowingly committing the act of sexual penetration through the use of force — a Class X felony punishable for between 16 and 40 years in prison. Yohn also was charged with residential burglary with intent to commit a felony offense, a Class 1 felony punishable for between four and 15 years in prison.

Yohn now faces four counts in connection with an incident on Oct. 15 at 828 1/2 York. He has been charged with one count of residential burglary, a Class 1 felony punishable for between four and 15 years in prison; two counts of theft or unauthorized control of property over $500 but under $10,000, a Class 3 felony punishable for between two and five years in prison; and one count of criminal sexual abuse, a Class 4 felony punishable for between one and three years in prison.

Brenner set bond in the Oct. 31 case at $500,000. He set bond in the Oct. 15 case at $300,000.

Yohn buried his face in his hands momentarily as he listened to Brenner read the charges against him. He also covered his face at one time with the charging documents that were given to him when he entered the courtroom.

Todd Nelson with the public defender’s office was assigned to Yohn’s case.

Blackledge immediately started wiping her eyes once she entered the courtroom, and she sobbed during most of her time in front of Brenner. Blackledge, also known as Karen Henderson, faces the same six counts as Yohn in connection to the Nov. 9 incident.

If Blackledge posts 10 percent bond, Brenner ordered she be subject to GPS monitoring and report daily to the probation office.

Chris Pratt with the public defender’s office was assigned to Blackledge’s case.

Yohn’s next appearance in circuit court will be at 9 a.m. Monday. Blackledge’s next appearance will be at 9:30 a.m. Monday.