Fairbury Woman Arrested for Tampering with Evidence

Misty D. Johnson, age 54, of Fairbury was arraigned in Jefferson County Court on Wednesday, October 15, 2025. Linda Bauer was the presiding judge.The defendant is charged with tampering with evidence, a class 1 misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in jail and a $1,000 fine. She is also charged with possession of less than an ounce of marijuana, second offense, a class 4 misdemeanor punishable by up to a $500 fine, and possession of drug paraphernalia, an infraction punishable by a $100 fine. On September 22, 2025, deputies with the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of an altercation between Johnson and another individual at a residence in Fairbury.According to the arrest affidavit, “While speaking with Johnson downstairs in her bedroom, I observed a green leafy substance in an ashtray and a marijuana grinder on a side table next to Johnson's bed. I know from my training and experience that the substance would be marijuana. I informed Johnson that I would be confiscating these items. Johnson got out of her bed, walked over, grabbed the ashtray, and threw it in the trash. I informed Johnson that she would be going to jail for tampering with evidence.”Johnson was arrested at the scene. The defendant requested court-appointed counsel and Public Defender Scott Gropp was assigned to represent her. Johnson is awaiting sentencing in another matter. She was arrested on March 19, 2025, after a traffic stop in Fairbury. According to the deputy that filled out the arrest affidavit, a search of the defendant's handbag uncovered, “a bulbous glass pipe with a burnt end,” and, “a multi-colored glass marijuana pipe and a green leafy substance.”The deputy also reported locating two loose pills identified as clonazepam, a schedule 4 controlled substance under the Controlled Substances Act (CSA).In that case, Johnson was originally charged with possession of methamphetamine, a class 4 felony punishable by up to two years in prison, nine to 12 months of post-release supervision and a $10,000 fine. She was also charged with possession of drug paraphernalia.In accordance with a plea agreement, Johnson pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of attempt of a class 4 felony, which is a class 1 misdemeanor. The paraphernalia charge was dismissed.Johnson is scheduled to be sentenced in that case on November 3, 2025.

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