17.5-Year Prison Sentence For Aurora Man Who Sexually Assaulted Child

AURORA, IL — A 56-year-old Aurora man was sentenced to 17.5 years in prison for sexually assaulting a child, officials said Thursday.

Alberto Huerta, of the 700 block of Grand Avenue, agreed to the sentence in exchange for a guilty plea to predatory criminal sexual assault of a child. He had been free on $15,000 bond but was taken into custody upon conviction, officials said.

Prosecutors found the man sexually assaulted the victim between February 2014 and April 2017. He knew she was younger than 13 years old, officials said.

In accordance with Illinois law, Huerta must serve at least 85 percent of the sentence. In addition to the prison term in the Illinois Department of Corrections, he must register for life as a sexual offender.

"This prison sentence protects the community from this defendant for several years," Assistant State's Attorney Tyler Cox said in a statement. "This guilty plea allowed the victim and her family members to avoid the stress and anxiety of having to testify against the defendant at a trial. I am very proud of the victim and her family for their strength and patience as they awaited justice."