Judge: No bond reduction for Tonica-Ottawa police pursuit

A Machesney Park man arrested after an April 9 high-speed chase — and then allegedly wielded a shank in La Salle County Jail — asked for a steep bond reduction Friday, but his judge wouldn’t hear of it.

Brad M. Johnson, 39, will remain held on $500,000 bond while a grand jury reviews four charges filed after he was detained following the chase. Prosecutors allege he made a shank in La Salle County Jail and used it to threaten a nurse and to hurt two corrections officers. The grand jury convenes Tuesday, May 4.

Johnson and his lawyer, Assistant Public Defender Doug Kramarsic, appeared Friday to ask for a 90% bond reduction, enabling Johnson to post $5,000 to be released. Kramarsic argued that $500,000 was excessive but did not advance any arguments for why Johnson posed no risk of flight or to the public.

In response, Assistant La Salle County State’s Attorney Matt Kidder argued Johnson risked injury to the public and responding officers during the Tonica-to-Ottawa police chase even before the “somewhat sharpened” weapon was brandished in the jail.

“If anything this bond is low, your honor,” Kidder said.

Chief Judge H. Chris Ryan Jr. stood firm on bond and ordered Johnson to return Friday, May 7, for arraignment. He faces an aggregate sentencing range of 1-18 years if convicted of any combination of the seven felonies now on file.