19 Years In Prison After Aurora Man's Guilty Plea To Home Invasion: SA

AURORA, IL — A 65-year-old Aurora man was sentenced to 19 years in prison after pleading guilty in a home invasion, officials said.

Michael R. Spina, of the 2400 block of West Downer Place, will receive credit for the 1,147 days — more than 3 years — spent in the Kane County jail, where he has been held since his arrest in lieu of $100,000 bail. He is eligible for day-to-day sentencing, according to Illinois law.

Spina's sentencing comes more than three years after he forced his way into his estranged wife's home and searched for her carrying an 8-inch knife, officials said. The woman believed he was there to kill her, according to prosecutors.

As she watched Spina walk through the yard, she was able to call 911 and hide from him until the police arrived. At the time, the man was under a court order to stay away from her and her residence.

Once Spina is released from prison, he is required to stay away from his estranged wife and her home for two years, Judge Salvatore LoPiccolo Jr. ordered.

"It is my hope that this guilty plea and prison sentence allows time for recovery and healing from the fear the victim experienced as she hid in her home, a place she deserved to feel safe," Assistant State's Attorney Hillary Sadler said in a statement. "Thank you to the Aurora police officers for their great work on this investigation, and to victim advocate Linda Hagemann."