Man Gets 11 Life Terms In Prison For Sexually Assaulting Children

A Kane County judge on Wednesday sentenced a 49-year-old man to 11 life prison sentences for sexually assaulting the same three children, who were all under the age of 13 years old, over an 11-year span. Robert E. Craig, of the 600 block of Hampshire Drive in Hampshire, will not be eligible for parole. A jury in February convicted Craig of 11 counts of predatory criminal sexual assault and six counts of criminal sexual abuse.

Under Illinois state law, a person convicted of predatory criminal sexual assault of two or more children must be sentenced to a term of life in prison for each count, Christopher Nelson, public information officer for the Kane County State's Attorney's Office, said in a news release. In addition to the life terms, Kane County Judge John Barsanti also sentenced Craig on Wednesday to three additional years in prison for the six sexual abuse counts.

“The public has no tolerance for those who harm the most vulnerable among us. By demanding mandatory life prison sentences for those who commit such hideous crimes, the General Assembly has given its assurance that evil people like Robert Craig can no longer prey on children,” Kane County State’s Attorney Joe McMahon said.

Prosecutors said Craig, who formerly lived in Carpentersville, assaulted the three children between 1999 and 2010. All of the assaults took place in Carpentersville.

Authorities were made aware of the assaults after one of the victims told a school counselor that she had been sexually assaulted by Craig. The counselor reported the disclosure to the Illinois Department of Child and Family Services, according to the news release.

According to Illinois law, Craig must serve the full sentence.