State Trooper faces domestic battery charges in southern Illinois
A 44-year-old Illinois State Police trooper has been arrested on charges of felony aggravated domestic battery and misdemeanor domestic battery in Marion County, according to court records and Illinois State Police.
Trooper John Q. Faulkner of Patoka was arrested Friday by officials with the Illinois State Police Division of Internal Investigation, Illinois State Police said in a news release.
Court records show that a $1,000 bond was posted for Faulkner to be released from the Marion County Jail.
WJBD radio station reported that in a bond hearing on Monday, Marion County State’s Attorney Timothy Hudspeth alleged Faulkner wrapped his arm around the neck of a 12-year-old child on Aug. 13 and that the juvenile reported this made him “fall asleep.”
The station also reported that Hudspeth said after the hearing that the child did not need to be taken to a hospital.
Court records do not list an attorney for Faulkner but the records indicate he plans to have a private attorney represent him for a Sept. 6 hearing.
The Marion County Sheriff’s Office on Friday notified Illinois State Police about an allegation against Faulkner.
After Illinois State Police agents gathered evidence, they arrested Faulkner.
“Faulkner has been relieved of his police duties and equipment,” the news release stated.
The investigation is continuing and no other details were released by Illinois State Police.