From the State’s Attorney:
CRYSTAL LAKE WOMAN PLEADS GUILTY TO FELONY SEXUAL CONDUCT WITH AN ANIMAL
McHenry County State’s Attorney Randi L. Freese announced that on August 27, 2026, Katelyn E. Heiden, 28, of Crystal Lake, Illinois, entered an open plea of guilty to one count of Sexual Conduct with an Animal, a Class 4 felony, before the Honorable Judge Mark R. Gerhardt.
Under the open plea, there is no agreement between the State and Heiden as to the sentence to be imposed.
A sentencing hearing is scheduled for November 20, 2026, at 1:30 pm in Courtroom 302, after which Judge Gerhardt will determine the sentence, subject to the statutory sentencing range and applicable sentencing laws.
The investigation that led to the plea of guilty today began on July 11, 2025, after the Huntley Police Department received a report that Heiden and another man had allegedly engaged in sexual acts with animals.
As part of the investigation, law enforcement obtained search warrants for Heiden’s and the other man’s cellular phones.
A forensic examination of the phones uncovered evidence corroborating the allegations, including videos documenting sexual acts involving animals.
The investigation established that Heiden had engaged in sexual contact with a dog.
Heiden ultimately pleaded guilty to one count of Sexual Conduct with an Animal based upon her sexual contact with the dog.
“This case involved deeply disturbing conduct that was uncovered through a thorough investigation and the forensic examination of electronic evidence,” State’s Attorney Freese said.
“Animals are vulnerable and depend upon people for their care and protection. Our office will continue to work with law enforcement to hold accountable those who criminally exploit or abuse them.”
State’s Attorney Freese commended the Huntley law enforcement officers and investigators whose work led to the recovery and preservation of the digital evidence in this case. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant State’s Attorney Daniel Conroy and First Assistant Ashur Y. Youash.
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