A Vermilion County Circuit Court jury has found a Georgetown man guilty of charges of Predatory Criminal Sexual Assault of a Child.
The verdict, against 33-year-old Joseph Johnson, ended a two-day trial in a case which was investigated by the Vermilion County Sheriff’s Department.
Vermilion County State’s Attorney Jacqueline Lacy says a juvenile female had disclosed to her mother that Johnson had committed sexual penetration of her while she was in his care. During the course of the investigation it was learned that Johnson had committed multiple sex acts against the juvenile for a number of years. Sheriff’s Police also discovered a second child victim who said Johnson had also assaulted her while she was in his care over the same period.
‘’Sexual predators take advantage of some of the most vulnerable members of our community, including our children and they must be brought to justice,’’ said State’s Attorney Jacqueline Lacy. ‘’The Vermilion County State’s Attorney’s Office will continue to work aggressively to prosecute those engaging in preying on our children,’’ she added.
Johnson will be sentenced in March. Predatory Criminal Sexual Assault of a Child is a Class X felony and carries a sentencing range of 6 to 60 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections. Johnson will be required to serve 85-percent of the sentence.
