A 54-year-old Yorkville man has been sentenced to 9 years in prison for sexually assaulting a sleeping woman in May 2022.
Kendall County State’s Attorney Eric Weis announced that John Sheridan was sentenced to 9 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections by Judge Robert Pilmer after a contested sentencing hearing for the offense of Criminal Sexual Assault. Sheridan was convicted by Judge Pilmer back in October of 2023 of Criminal Sexual Assault, a non-probationable Class 1 Felony. The sentencing range was from this offense was 4-15 years in prison.
The charge stems from an incident in May of 2022 when a woman was sexually assaulted while sleeping in a residence in Yorkville. The victim, who was a guest at the residence, had gone to sleep earlier and had awoken to Sheridan sexually assaulting her. Sheridan later admitted to the assault in a recorded statement. At trial, Sheridan claimed that he lied in the recorded statement and thought the victim was his dog.
Under Illinois law, Sherida is required to serve 85 percent of his 9-year prison sentence in the Illinois Department of Corrections before he will be required to serve a period of mandatory supervised release that could range from three years to the rest of his natural life. Sheridan is required by law to register as a sex offender for the rest of his life.
Weis commented, “The victim in this case did not consent to sexual activity with this offender. Sheridan took advantage of the victim while she was asleep. The victim came forward and reported her experience, cooperated with police, and testified about a very traumatic event.
“Additionally, she gave a compelling victim impact statement about the long-term impact this has had on her. Sexual assault will never be tolerated, and the Kendall County State’s Attorney’s Office will make every effort to ensure that these offenders are held accountable.” Weis noted that Sheridan has four prior felony convictions and has been to the Illinois Department of Corrections on two prior occasions.
