(Modified upon denial of rehearing 8/1/16.) Defendant pled guilty to predatory criminal sexual assault of a child and criminal sexual assault, for sexual conduct with 2 boys, age 13 and under, at parsonage where Defendant lived when he was a church youth minister. In exchange for plea, State agreed to aggregate sentencing range of 12-35 years on mandatorily consecutive sentences. Court properly dismissed Defendant's pro se postconviction petition, as it is not of sufficient constitutional dimension. Court reasonably cited Defendant's pattern of behavior, in performing sexual acts on victims in parsonage before taking them to church the next morning, in aggravation does not offend state or federal constitution. Court's repeated references to religion and church were invited by Defendant, who called 6 clergy members to testify in mitigation. (HOLDRIDGE and WRIGHT, concurring.)
Illinois Appellate Court
Criminal Court
Sexual Assault