ELBURN MAN CHARGED IN 2016 FATAL DUI CRASH

July 11, 2017

An Elburn man faces criminal charges for his role in an August 2016 fatal DUI crash in far western Kane County.

The Kane County State’s Attorney has charged 40-year-old Sean M. Tardy with two counts of aggravated DUI, each a Class 2 felony.

Sean M. Tardy

Kane County prosecutors allege that at about 2 a.m. Aug. 6, 2016, Tardy was driving a 2015 Volkswagen Tiguan east on Route 64 when the car crashed, resulting in a fatality. Tardy’s blood-alcohol concentration shortly after the crash was more than .160.

According to the Kane County Sheriff, the crash occurred east of Fabris Road and west of the village of Virgil. 35-year-old David A. Drewes of St. Charles, who was riding in the front passenger seat of the car, was killed. A passenger riding in the back seat suffered minor injuries.

A judge issued an arrest warrant for Tardy and set his bail at $75,000, with 10 percent ($7,500) to apply for bond.)

Tardy surrendered Tuesday, July 11, 2017, to the custody of the Kane County Sheriff. He posted $7,500 bond and was released. His initial court appearance is set for 9 a.m. Oct. 4, 2017, in front of Circuit Judge John A. Barsanti in Courtroom 319 at the Kane County Judicial Center.

If convicted, Tardy faces a sentence of probation or between four and 15 years’ imprisonment in the Illinois Department of Corrections.

The charges against Tardy are not proof of guilt. Tardy is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial in which it is the state’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

FORMER CARPENTERSVILLE MAN GETS 11 LIFE SENTENCES FOR SEXUALLY ASSAULTING CHILDREN

July 12, 2017

A Kane County judge has ordered a former Carpentersville man to spend the rest of his life in prison for repeatedly sexually assaulting the same three children.

Robert E. Craig

Circuit Judge John A Barsanti on Wednesday, July 12, 2017, sentenced 49-year-old Robert E. Craig to 11 life imprisonment sentences in the Illinois Department of Corrections.

A Kane County jury on Feb. 9, 2017, convicted Craig of 11 counts of predatory criminal sexual assault, each a Class X felony, and six counts of criminal sexual abuse, each a Class 2 felony.

Kane County Assistant State’s Attorneys Lori Schmidt and Reagan McGuire presented evidence that multiple times between 1999 and 2010 Craig sexually assaulted the three victims. All were younger than 13 years old. The assaults took place in Carpentersville.

In 2014 one of the victims disclosed to a school counselor that she had been sexually assaulted by Robert Craig. The counselor reported the disclosure to the Illinois Department of Child and Family Services.

Illinois law states that a person convicted of predatory criminal sexual assault of a child against two of more victims shall be sentenced to a term of life in prison for each count.

In addition, Barsanti sentenced Craig to three years imprisonment for each of the six criminal sexual abuse counts. All terms of imprisonment are to be served concurrently.

According to Illinois law, Craig must serve the full sentence. He is not eligible for parole. Craig receives credit for 842 days served in the Kane County jail.

“The public has no tolerance for those who harm the most vulnerable among us. By demanding mandatory life prison sentences for those who commit such hideous crimes, the General Assembly has given its assurance that evil people like Robert Craig can no longer prey on children,” Kane County State’s Attorney Joe McMahon said. “My thanks to Investigator Tim Bosshart and Assistant State’s Attorneys Lori Schmidt and Reagan Pittman, and all from the Child Advocacy Center, for their hard work in this case.”

SOURCE: Kane County State’s Attorney’s Office news releases. To follow news releases directly from the SAO, visit the State’s Attorney’s website and Facebook page. All photos are from the KCSAO Facebook Page.