Mokena man charged with harassing Illinois Secretary of State

April 27

JOLIET – Will County State’s Attorney James Glasgow announced Friday that a Mokena man has been charged with a misdemeanor for allegedly sending a harassing e-mail to Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White.

Vahn S. Hickey, 21, of the 11600 block of South Brightway, Mokena, was charged with harassment through electronic communications, a Class B misdemeanor that carries a penalty of up to six months in jail upon conviction.

Hickey was arrested Thursday on a warrant with a $3,000 bond. He was booked into the Will County Jail and later released after posting bail.

The charge alleges that Hickey sent an e-mail message to the secretary of state that “contained obscenities and death references.”

“This matter was brought to our attention following an investigation by the Secretary of State Police this week, and we moved quickly to file a charge,” Glasgow said. “We are taking all the appropriate steps to protect Secretary of State White and his employees. Although this did not meet the elements of the crime of threatening a public official, I am leaving nothing to chance by filing the harassment charge. I also have obtained a no contact order in the bond.”

Hickey is scheduled to appear in Will County Circuit Court next at 1:30 p.m. on May 23.

The Will County State’s Attorney’s Office reminds the public that charges are not evidence of guilt. A defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial at which the government has the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.