Fox River Grove man sentenced to prison for sexually assaulting child

A Fox River Grove man was sentenced Friday to 16 years in prison for sexually assaulting a child he knew.

Korem M. Johanson, 39, was found guilty Sept. 3 of a single count of predatory criminal sexual assault in connection with allegations that he had inappropriate contact with a child.

McHenry County Judge Michael Coppedge also acquitted Johanson of additional counts of predatory criminal sexual assault and aggravated criminal sexual abuse, which included alleged offenses against a second child. Prosecutors have said the assault took place between July 1 and July 22, 2019.

After factoring in credit that Johanson will receive for any time he already has spent in jail awaiting trial, he has about 12 remaining years of prison time to serve. He also must register as a sex offender for life.

“What will never be undone is the consequence on [the children],” Coppedge said.

At a sentencing hearing Friday afternoon, McHenry County Assistant State’s Attorney Sharyl Eisenstein said Johanson “deserves every year” of the prison sentence.

“The defendant will say and do whatever he wants to get what he wants,” Eisenstein said.

Although Johanson has a history of mental health issues for which he previously was hospitalized, he also historically has been averse to professional treatment, his family testified in court Friday.

Prosecutors also pointed to a separate set of allegations against Johanson that did not result in charges.

A woman who said she met Johanson on a dating app in 2016 testified Friday that he sexually assaulted her in his car. The woman didn’t report the situation until years later, when she searched Johanson’s name online and learned about his 2019 arrest, she said.

Given the chance to speak before his sentencing, Johanson said the hearing was “a real wake-up call.”

“I am shocked, ashamed and remorseful for what has happened here,” Johanson said.

Robert Meyer, a psychologist who evaluated Johanson before Friday’s sentencing, called the man’s acts “opportunistic” and determined Johanson is at low risk of reoffending. Meyer also said, however, that Johanson is a “dangerous individual if not treated.”