From the State’s Attorney:
COURT GRANTS STATE’S ATTORNEY’S OFFICE’S PETITION TO DETAIN MAN WHO POSTED VIDEOS THREATENING TO KILL BARRINGTON HILLS POLICE OFFICERS
McHenry County State’s Attorney Randi Freese announced today that the Honorable Judge Cynthia Lamb granted the State’s motion to deny pretrial release for Joel A. Koskinen, 35, of Barrington Hills.
Koskinen appeared in Initial Appearance Court on July 3, 2025, charged with Threatening a Public Official and Electronic Harassment.
Evidence presented in court this afternoon established that Koskinen posted multiple videos of himself to YouTube.
In the videos, Koskinen can be seen and heard making graphic threats to harm and kill members of the Barrington Hills Police Department.
In addition to threats against all police officers in the department, Koskinen threatened to maim and kill one specifically named officer.
Ms. Freese is thankful that Koskinen was arrested peacefully before he could follow through on any of his threats.
Freese commends Assistant State’s Attorney Daniel Conroy for his efforts in presenting the motion resulting in the detention of Koskinen.
“We take all threats to human life seriously and are committed to the prosecution of all who engage on this sort of abhorrent behavior.” Freese said.
Koskinen’s next court appearance is scheduled for July 24, 2025.
Members of the public are reminded that this complaint contains only charges and is not proof of the defendant’s guilt.
A defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial in which it is the government’s burden to prove his or her guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
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Judge Cynthia Lamb issued the order.
