A former Assistant Coles County State’s Attorney has pleaded guilty to misconduct following interactions he had in his official capacity with Coles County women who were prosecuted by the state’s attorney’s office.  34-year-old Brady Allen of the Metro East area, pleaded guilty to two counts of attempted official misconduct based on bribery, both Class A misdemeanors.  Coles County Circuit Court Judge Mitchell Shick sentenced Allen to 120 days in jail and two years of probation.  Coles has also agreed to give up his law license and will not contact any of his victims.  The plea also gave victims a chance to read impact statements one of whom did so in court at his sentencing.

Formerly from Charleston, Illinois, Allen is required to turn himself into the Coles County Jail by January 5th.  His next court appearance is set for February 14th for a status update.  Allen served as assistant state’s attorney from December 2018 til his resignation in August 2020.  Allen had inappropriate texts, emails, phone calls, and social media communications that were sexual in nature with female defendants he was currently or had previously prosecuted.  Attorney General Kwame Raoul says that Allen solicited sexual contact, photos, and videos with an understanding that in exchange, female defendants would receive preferential treatment for their criminal cases.  

Deputy Bureau Chief Jonas Hargar and Assistant Attorney General Mara Somlo prosecuted the case. It was investigated by the Illinois State Police Division of Criminal Investigation.