VANDALIA MAN ACCUSED 4/9/25 Monday
in US 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 US Attorney’s Office and our law
enforcement partners,” said US 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 1st, when he traveled to meet
the minor to engage in sexual activity. 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 US Attorney Ali Burns is prosecuting the case.