A retired suburban deputy police chief pleaded guilty Wednesday to the sexual assault of a teenage girl.
Alan Bokowski, 61, of Crystal Lake, was sentenced to 4½ years in prison after pleading guilty in McHenry County court to sexual assaulting a child between the ages of 13 and 17.
Bokowski spent more than 20 years with the Lake in the Hills Police Department prior to his retirement as deputy chief in 2006, local officials confirmed at the time of his 2016 arrest.
Although Bokowski had been retired from the Police Department for many years at the time of the accusations against him, it was through his long-time employment with the village that he became acquainted with the girl’s family, according to statements made in court.
Assistant State’s Attorney Sharyl Eisenstein said Bokowski admitted in a secretly recorded conversation with the teen’s stepmother that he’d had sexual contact with the girl.
According to letters written by the girl’s parents and read in court Wednesday, Bokowski had been a close, trusted family friend.
The girl’s father wrote that he was “disgusted” and “outraged” that a man with Bokowski’s background as a police officer could commit such as offense. The father said that, since the assault, his daughter has attempted suicide, is distrustful and has gone through some “dark changes.”
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The girl’s stepmother wrote that she feels guilty because she introduced Bokowski to her family.
She said her stepdaughter is angry and “on edge all the time.”
In exchange for Bokowski’s guilty plea, other charges against him, including aggravated criminal sexual abuse, were dropped.
Bokowski must serve 85 percent of his sentence and must register as a sex offender upon his release. Prosecutors are seeking to have the money he put up for bond withheld to help pay for counseling for his victim.
Bokowski did not make a statement in court and his attorney declined to comment.
Amanda Marrazzo is a freelance reporter.