Attorney General Raoul Announces Former Johnson County 911 Coordinator Pleads Guilty To Stealing Government Property, Official Misconduct

Justin Vaughn admitted in Johnson County Circuit Court to theft of governmental property and official misconduct, with sentencing set for Jan. 13, 2027.

Submitted by Office of the Illinois Attorney General

Sep 17, 2026 4:45 PM

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CHICAGO – Attorney General Kwame Raoul announced a Vienna, Illinois man pleaded guilty to defrauding Johnson, Hardin and Pope counties out of over $100,000 while employed as the Johnson County 911 administrator.

Justin Vaughn, 43, pleaded guilty in Johnson County Circuit Court to one count of theft of governmental property, a Class 1 Felony; and one count of official misconduct, a Class 3 Felony. Vaughn’s sentencing hearing is Jan. 13, 2027.

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“As the county 911 administrator, Vaughn held a position of trust in the community, and this guilty plea should be a reminder that no one is above the law,” Raoul said. “My office collaborates with law enforcement partners across jurisdictions to not only pursue allegations of fraud and official misconduct, but to hold public servants like Vaughn accountable for abusing their positions for personal benefit.”

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This case was referred to the Attorney General’s office by the Johnson County state’s attorney’s office. Attorney General Raoul’s office collaborated with the Illinois Department of Revenue (IDOR) and the Illinois State Police (ISP) on the investigation.

From 2017 to 2023, while employed as the Johnson County 911 administrator, Vaughn submitted fraudulent invoices for 911 system equipment that was never delivered. Vaughn canceled some of these purchase orders before they were fully processed; while other orders were never placed with or processed by the merchant. He then reported to county officials and employees that he used his personal credit cards to pay for the equipment and required immediate reimbursement. Over the course of six years, Vaughn requested and received more than $690,000 in fraudulent reimbursement payments.

Bureau Chief Haley Bookhout and Assistant Attorney Generals Charles Ewell, Skylar Lily Hill and Nemura Pencyla prosecuted the case for Raoul’s office.