Lockport Man Sentenced To 22 Years After Sexual Assault Of Child

LOCKPORT, IL — A 52-year-old Lockport man has been sentenced to 22 years in prison after pleading guilty to the predatory criminal sexual assault of an 8-year-old, the Will County State's Attorney's Office said. Candido Cordero pled guilty to one count of predatory criminal sexual assault of a child which occurred in the bathroom when the child was showering while Cordero was a guest in the child's home.

“This demonic sexual predator took advantage of this innocent child for his own twisted gratification and will now be behind bars where he will have no access to defenseless children," Will County State's Attorney James Glasgow said in a release. “Children have an absolute right to feel safe in their own home.”

Judge Daniel Kennedy accepted Cordero’s guilty plea under the plea agreement, and Cordero was sentenced to 22 years in prison, a release states. Under state law, he must serve at least 85 percent of the sentence. The sentence also includes lifetime sex offender registration.

“Child sexual assault and abuse occurs across race, religion, and class,” Glasgow said in a release. “That’s why I established the Will County Children’s Advocacy Center to provide hope, healing, and justice to abused youngsters. The CAC’s Multidisciplinary Team engages in a collaborative approach to taking the child’s statement, which protects the integrity of the information gathered and allows prosecutors and investigators to thoroughly assess possible criminal offenses that may have been committed. Further, advocates help the children and non-offending family members navigate the process, and trauma-focused therapists provide counseling to help overcome the impact of the abuse.”