LAKE HAVASU CITY — A Lake Havasu City resident who previously served time for fatally stabbing his best friend has opted for a jury trial rather than accepting the state’s best offer to resolve his more recent child pornography case. Deputy Mohave County attorney Leah Nelson previously indicated she was unwilling to lighten a plea agreement offer that exposed Johnathan Kroll to 17-24 years more in the Arizona Department of Corrections.
“We wish to set this matter for trial your Honor,” defense attorney Bob Heieck said during a Feb. 18 hearing before Mohave County Superior Court Judge Derek Carlisle.
Kroll, 38, served almost seven years in prison for a manslaughter conviction in the 2013 death of Brandon Bonnett, 23, Lake Havasu. they had argued about Kroll’s relationship with Bonnett’s 19-year-old sister.
A Lake Havasu City police narrative last fall indicated that an electronic service provider reported suspicious activity to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children in early 2025. The tip was forwarded to the Arizona Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force before Lake Havasu city police involvement led to Kroll’s arrest last Oct. 2.
Police said investigation revealed that Kroll uploaded six videos of Child Sexual Abuse Materials (CSAM) in March and April, 2025, and that he provided verbal and written confessions when questioned. Nelson said the CSAM related communication featured a particularly egregious request for child rape material.
Kroll was previously advised he would face more than 50 years in prison if convicted at trial. Jury selection for the two- to three-day trial will begin May 4.
Dave Hawkins
