Man Who Sexually Assaulted Woman In Her Sleep Given Sentence: Weis

YORKVILLE, IL — A Yorkville man who was convicted after sexually assaulting a woman while she slept was sentenced to nine years in prison, the Kendall County State's Attorney's Office said.

Judge Robert Pilmer sentenced the 54-year-old John Sheridan after a contested sentencing hearing in January for the offense of criminal sexual assault. The judge convicted the man in October 2023 of the non-probational felony charge, which carried a range of 4–15 years in prison.

The conviction and prison sentence stem from an investigation that began in May 2022 when police took a report of sexual assault in which a woman said she was awoken by Sheridan sexually penetrating her without her consent while she slept as a guest at a Yorkville residence.

The man later admitted to the assault in a recorded statement but claimed at trial that he lied in the statement, thinking the victim was his dog, officials said.

Sheridan has four prior felony convictions and has served time at the Illinois Department of Corrections twice, according to Kendall County State's Attorney Eric Weis.

The Yorkville man is required to serve at least 85 percent of his sentence before he will be required to complete a period of mandatory supervised release that could range from three years to the rest of his life. Sheridan is also required by law to register for life as a sex offender.

"The victim came forward and reported her experience, cooperated with police, and testified about a very traumatic event," State's Attorney Eric Weis said in a statement. "Additionally, she gave a compelling victim impact statement about the long-term impact this has had on her. Sexual assault will never be tolerated, and the Kendall County State’s Attorney’s Office will make every effort to ensure that these offenders are held accountable."