An Arlington Heights man who was charged with sexually assaulting a woman he met at a club was sentenced Monday to probation and must register as a sex offender after pleading guilty to a lesser charge, according to authorities and court records.
Blake Alberts, 25, pleaded guilty in June to felony aggravated criminal sexual abuse and theft of more than $500. He initially was charged with criminal sexual assault of the 21-year-old woman, but that was dismissed in exchange for his plea, according to court records.
Authorities said that on Aug. 12, Alberts and another Arlington Heights man, Eric Elwell, 24, met the woman and two of her friends at Moretti’s Ristorante & Pizzeria in Lake in the Hills after hours, when the restaurant converts into Club 220.
More Top Picks Best Portable Saunas
After leaving the club, the group went to the woman’s Crystal Lake home, where Alberts forcibly performed sex acts on the woman, who told authorities that Elwell held her down during the abuse, according to the indictment and criminal complaints.
The same night, the men also stole “several pieces of jewelry,” valued at more than $500, from the woman’s home, according to the documents.
Elwell pleaded guilty in April to theft of more than $500 and was sentenced to four years in prison. An additional theft charge and a felony charge of criminal sexual assault were each dismissed.
Authorities said many of the stolen items were recovered and are to be returned to the owners.
Alberts was sentenced to two years of probation, must pay $1,440 in fines and fees and was ordered to undergo sex offender treatment and to have no contact with the victim, according to court records and Judge Sharon Prather. He also must register as a sex offender for life, McHenry County Assistant State’s Attorney Rita Gara said.
Amanda Marrazzo is a freelance reporter.