The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
La Harpe Mayor Ryan Kienast was arrested by the Hancock County Sheriff's Department on a felony warrant, January 31st after being charged with official misconduct resulting from a November 2016 incident in which Kienast allegedly asked La Harpe city employee David Miller to use a city owned back-hoe to remove dirt from a property that he (Mayor Kienast) owned. Under Illinois state law this official misconduct constitutes a Class 3 felony.
Kienast posted $500 bail (10%) on a $5,000 bond.
If convicted he could face a $25,000 fine, 2-5 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections and serve a mandatory 1 year of probation.
Kienast made his first court appearance at 9 a. m. Thursday, February 16th before Judge Rodney G. Clark of the 9th Judicial Circuit in the Hancock County Courthouse in Carthage where he was represented by a criminal defense attorney Scott Terry of Macomb.
His next appearance will be at a March 7th preliminary hearing. At that time the judge will determine if there is probable cause to continue the case against Kienast.
If the judge rules that there is probable cause an arraignment would follow, at which time the defendant would enter a plea.
State s Attorney Jason Pohren refused to comment on the facts in the pending case or make comments on the defendant's guilt or innocence based on ethical rules.