A woman and a man, both from Elgin, have been convicted in unrelated Kane County cases of sexually assaulting children under the age of 13.
In the first case, Kane County Judge John Barsanti found Maricela Garcia, 37, guilty in a bench trial of predatory criminal sexual assault of a child, a class X felony; aggravated battery of a child, a class 3 felony; and misdemeanor domestic battery.
Prosecutors said Garcia used an object to sexually assault a child under the age of 13 in May 2021. Garcia and the victim lived in the same house at the time, the release said.
Garcia could receive a state prison term of between 6 and 60 years when sentenced and will be required to register for life as a sex offender per state law. She remains out on bond pending her sentencing, despite a prosecution request that she be remanded to jail. Her next court date is scheduled for Nov. 22.
“Perpetrators of child abuse are all genders, and when a caregiver betrays their role as protector, justice must be served,” Assistant State’s Attorney Lori Schmidt said in a statement following the conviction. “It is essential to hold all perpetrators accountable.”
Ernesto Velasquez-Jimenez, 35, was convicted in a jury trial of three counts of predatory criminal sexual assault of a child, a class X felony, and seven counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse of a child, a class 2 felony.
According to evidence presented at the trial, Velasquez-Jimenez sexually abused the girl, who was under the age of 13, multiple times between Oct. 1, 2021, and June 3, 2023, the release said. Evidence also was presented that the defendant sexually abused the victim’s sister in DuPage County, the release said.
Velasquez-Jimenez’s next court appearance is scheduled for Dec. 13. He faces a prison term of up to 21 years and must register as a sex offender for life. He is being held in the Kane County jail pending his sentencing.
“The defendant’s repeated conduct will forever change the lives of the children he abused, but their bravery in coming forward will make sure it will not happen again,” Assistant State’s Attorney Morgan Wilkinson said in a statement.
“Their voices were heard and they received the justice they deserved. I first want to thank the victim and her sister for their courage in coming forward and facing their abuser in open court. Thank you also to the victim’s mother, who showed unwavering support for her daughters throughout the process.”
