Winnebago County State’s Attorney Joe Bruscato announced today that on Tuesday, June 30, 2009 MARK W. JOHNSON (D.O.B. 5/18/70) pled guilty to the offense of Kidnapping and was sentenced to 10 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections by Honorable Judge Rosemary Collins.

On November 28, 2006 Rockford City Police responded to a complaint of inappropriate behavior of an individual who had picked up a young girl from her bus stop and after a period of time dropped her off at school. Over the course of the next couple years this individual repeatedly drove by the young girl’s bus stop as well as followed her to and from school. On January 9, 2009 the individual was spotted in the parking lot of the girl’s school. The young girl notified police and was able to provide a description of the individual, the vehicle including the license plate number and later identified the defendant from a photo lineup.

Kidnapping is a Class 2 Felony with a sentencing range of 3-7 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections. This defendant was extended term eligible due to a prior offense and could have been sentenced to up to 14 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections. The defendant must register as a sex offender as well.