A Waukegan man was sentenced to 26 years in prison Wednesday for the repeated sexual assault of a girl under the age of 13.
Roberto Rodriguez-Ojeba, 61, had entered a partially-negotiated guilty plea in which he pleaded guilty to two counts of predatory criminal sexual assault in exchange for the dropping of additional counts and a sentencing range of between 12 and 40 years, according to Assistant State’s Attorney Jason Grindel.
After hearing statements from prosecutors and defense attorneys, Lake County Circuit Court Judge Daniel Shanes sentenced Rodriguez-Ojeba to 26 years in prison, which must be served at 85 percent.
He will receive credit for time served in Lake County jail since his arrest on June 16 of last year.
Rodriguez-Ojeba must also register as a sexual predator for life.
Grindel said a police investigation was opened after the victim, who was known to Rodriguez-Ojeba, told two adults what had happened to her and they contacted authorities.
He said that based on the victim’s statements, the assaults had occurred over “a long period of time,” during which the victim was under the age of 13.
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