September 12, 2025

State’s Attorney Glasgow Announces Kevin Johnson Sentenced to 45 Years in prison for First Degree Murder

JOLIET— Will County State’s Attorney James Glasgow announces that Kevin Johnson, 21 of Harvey, was sentenced Monday by Circuit Judge Amy Bertani-Tomczak to 45 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections for the First-Degree Murder of Charles Baird. The 45-year sentence follows a bench trial that began on March 11, 2025, and concluded March 19, 2025.

On the evening of May 10, 2020, the victim, Charles Baird was at the Circle K gas station in New Lenox purchasing a beverage. While Baird was in the gas station, a stolen black Santa Fe parked next to his vehicle and an individual attempted to open Baird’s locked passenger door. As Baird returned to his vehicle, the defendant exited the backseat of the Sante Fe and confronted him. Video surveillance obtained from the gas station showed Baird turning back towards the store when the defendant pulled out a handgun and fired a fatal shot into Baird’s back. The defendant then re-entered the Santa Fe car and fled the scene.

During the investigation, officers discovered that the black Santa Fe used in the murder was stolen out of Lockport the day prior. The defendant’s DNA was in the vehicle on a cigarette butt found in the rear pocket of the driver’s seat where the defendant was observed on video sitting prior to shooting the victim.

As part of the sentencing hearing, the State presented evidence of the defendant’s disciplinary record in the jail, the defendant’s other crimes and acts, which included the fact that he was in possession of a stolen motor vehicle at the time of the murder.

“This ruthless and vile assassination of an innocent young man in the prime of life is a reflection of Johnson’s abandoned and malignant heart.  There is nothing that can bring his family solace, but the 45 years effectively drives a stake through the heart of a beast.” Glasgow said. “He will have plenty of time to reflect on his vile actions while he stares at the cold blank walls of a prison cell.”

Glasgow thanked Assistant State’s Attorneys Christine Vukmir, Lauren Senko, Jon Walters, former Will County Assistant State’s Attorney Katie Rabenda, Investigators Patrick Cardwell, Shawn Filipiak, Louis Silich, Mark Revis, and Scott Lustik, Victim Witness Advocate Dannette Pasdertz, Administrative Assistants Nancy Nelson and Kendall Ziech, IT Specialists Albert Bailey and Braulio Guzman, and the New Lenox Police Department for their hard work and dedication in this matter.

###