Crime & Safety

Man, 35, Sentenced to 18 Years for Sexually Assaulting Girl

Rogelio Montenegro of West Chicago pleaded guilty to two counts of predatory criminal sexual assault Tuesday in DuPage County.

A West Chicago man faces 18 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections for the sexual assault of a 12-year-old girl, DuPage County State's Attorney Robert Berlin announced Tuesday.

Rogelio Montenegro, 35, pleaded guilty to two counts of predatory criminal sexual assault of a child, a Class X felony, in front of Judge Blanche Fawell Tuesday, according to a press release.

According to the release, Montenegro sexually assualted the girl in his home several times between July 1, 2011 and Nov. 15. The assaults came to light, however, when the girl confided in a school counselor. Authorities at the school alerted the West Chicago police, who contacted the DuPage County Children’s Center. Montenegro was taken into custody on November 16, 2011 and has been held in the DuPage County jail on $500,000 bond since his arrest.

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“On more than one occasion, Mr. Montenegro sexually assaulted his victim to satisfy his own sick desires,” Berlin said in a statement. “He cared nothing for her and what effect these assaults would have on her. I would first and foremost like to thank the victim in this case for having the courage to disclose the abuse she had suffered."

Montenegro will be required to serve 85% of his sentence before being eligible for parole. He will also have to register as a sex offender for life.

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