A man from Benton has been sentenced to a significant amount of time in jail for committing inappropriate sexual crimes against a child in 2023.
A 35-year-old man from Benton, Robert B. Hodges, was sentenced to 47 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections on Thursday, May 23. Franklin County State’s Attorney Abby Dinn has announced that Hodges is being charged with one count of Predatory Criminal Sexual Assault of a Child. This was classified as a Class X Felony.
The case started on July 5, 2023 when the child’s mother reported Hodges’ crime to law enforcement. Hodges was given his charge by July 11.
There was no progress on the case until February 21 of this year when Hodges admitted guilty to the charge.
Judge Tedeschi has ruled that Hodges must serve a minimum of 85% of the 47-year sentence. After being released, Hodges is required to fulfill three years of mandatory supervised release, or patrol. He will be required to register as a sex offender indefinitely.
Attorney Dinn collaborated with multiple law enforcement agencies and forensic laboratories during this investigation.
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