News Release Today from the U.S. District Attorney’s Office—
| EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill. – Today in U.S. District Court within the Southern District of Illinois, a magistrate judge ordered a Vandalia man be held in custody without bail after he was charged with attempting to entice a minor to engage in illegal sexual activity.
Trevor W. Yokley, 32, is facing one count of attempting to entice a minor, which carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years’ imprisonment, and a maximum sentence of up to life imprisonment. “Individuals who prey on children perpetrate vile crimes, which is why identifying child predators is a top priority for the U.S. Attorney’s Office and our law enforcement partners,” said U.S. Attorney Steven D. Weinhoeft. According to the complaint, an undercover FBI agent created an online social media profile for a purported 14-year-old girl. Yokley is accused of contacting the purported minor and trying to meet with her to engage in sexual activity between January and April 2025. “Due to the tireless pursuit of criminals who would target children, a once faceless online predator has been unmasked and arrested,” said FBI Springfield Special Agent in Charge Christopher Johnson. “This arrest is one of many to come as FBI Springfield continues to work alongside our partners to identify and bring child predators to justice.” FBI arrested Yokley in Effingham on April 1, 2025, when he traveled to meet the minor to engage in sexual activity. A complaint is merely a formal charge against a defendant. Under the law, a defendant is presumed to be innocent of a charge until proved guilty beyond a reasonable doubt to the satisfaction of a jury. The FBI Springfield Field Office is leading the investigation with assistance by the Carlyle Police Department, Mt. Vernon Police Department, and Effingham Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Ali Burns is prosecuting the case. ### |
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