An Elgin man has been sentenced to a prison term of nearly four decades for sexually assaulting a young child he knew.

Armando Vega, 51, most recently of the 300 block of Shiloh Lane, Elgin, was sentenced late Monday, March 30, 2015, by Associate Judge Clint Hull to 37 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections.

On Feb. 3, 2015, Vega was convicted by a Kane County jury of four counts of predatory criminal sexual assault, each a Class X felony, and aggravated criminal sexual abuse, a Class 2 felony.

Prosecutors presented evidence that between February 2007 and February 2011 Vega committed multiple sexual acts with the victim while she was sleeping on the sofa at a relative’s home. Vega knew the victim, who was younger than 13 years old.

During the sentencing hearing, Judge Hull noted that as a result of the sexual assaults the victim had suffered psychological harm and would continue to suffer.

The sentence is eight years for each predatory sexual assault charge and five years for the sexual abuse charge to be served consecutively for a total of 37 years.

According to Illinois law Vega must serve at least 85 percent of the sentence for the predatory sexual assault counts and he is eligible for day-to-day sentencing on the sexual abuse charge. He receives credit for at least 430 days served in the Kane County jail.

In addition to the prison term, Vega must register for life as a sexual offender in accordance with the Illinois Sexual Offender Registration Act.

“The greatest tragedy here is that this child was victimized by an adult who should have been caring for and protecting her. Mr. Vega is now in a place where he is no longer a threat to children,” Kane County State’s Attorney Joe McMahon said.

The case was prosecuted by Kane County Assistant State’s Attorneys Lori Schmidt and Andrew Whitfield.

SOURCE: Kane County State’s Attorney’s Office press release