A Vermilion County Circuit Court Judge has sentenced a Danville man to 90 years in prison for sexually assaulting a child he was babysitting. Judge Nancy Fahey ordered 39-year-old Richard Ashley to serve three consecutive 30 year sentences for his earlier conviction on three counts of Predatory Criminal Sexual Assault. Under Illinois law Ashley will be required to serve at least 85-percent of the sentence, according to Vermilion County State’s Attorney Jacqueline Lacy.
Ashley had been convicted in a two-day trial in April on charges he sexually abused the female child over a three year period. The sexual abuse began when the girl was 6 years old and continued until she was 8. The girl testified at the trial as well as other family members.
The judge agreed with the recommendation from the State’s Attorney’s Office in sentencing Ashley to 90 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections. In addition to the 90 year sentence Ashley was ordered to serve a period of mandatory supervised release of three years to natural life.
The case was investigated by Danville Police and prosecuted by First Assistant State’s Attorney Stephanie Weber along with attorney Daniel Taylor.
