Downstate man gets 20 years for sex with New Lenox teenager
BY JON SEIDEL Sun-Times Media jseidel@suntimes.com January 12, 2012 4:26PM
Booking mugshot of Robert Hughes who was sentenced to 20 years in prison Thursday for sexual abuse in Will County.
Updated: January 12, 2012 8:00PM
A downstate man landed a 20-year prison sentence Thursday in Will County for having sex with a New Lenox teenager one year ago.
Robert G. Hughes, 55, of Divernon pleaded guilty to three counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse in front of Will County Judge Edward Burmila. A criminal history that includes auto thefts in 1977 and 1985 contributed to his penalty.
Prosecutors said Hughes met the girl, who turned 16 last year, through a relative. He gave the girl a phone so he could contact her, police said, and made trips to New Lenox to see her.
Prosecutors said they met in a truck and a hotel room. They said the girl eventually told another student, who alerted school authorities.
Hughes faced eight criminal counts in all, including traveling to meet a minor and indecent solicitation. Prosecutors dismissed the other charges in return for Hughes’ guilty plea.
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