An Elgin man has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for repeatedly sexually assaulting a juvenile during a two-year period beginning in April 2022.
The defendant, 26-year-old Juan Pop-Pana, had been convicted by a jury in September of Criminal Sexual Assault, a Class 1 felony; Aggravated Criminal Sexual Abuse of a Child, a Class 2 felony; and Intimidation, a Class 3 felony.
According to prosecutors, between the dates of April 3, 2022, and June 3, 2024, Pop-Pana sexually abused the victim, who was a family member under the age of 18, multiple times. Pop-Pana threatened the victim with having her mother harmed as well as being kicked out of the house if she disclosed his behavior.
Pop-Pana was sentenced to seven years in prison for Criminal Sexual Assault, three years in prison for Aggravated Criminal Sexual Abuse of a Child, and three years in prison for Intimidation. The last two counts are to be served concurrently to each other but consecutive to the first count.
In addition to the prison term, Pop-Pana must register for life as a sexual offender in accordance with the Illinois Sexual Offender Registration Act.
In accordance with Illinois law, the Pop-Pana must serve at least 85 percent of the 7-year sentence and 50 percent of the Aggravated Criminal Sexual Abuse and Intimidation sentence. He received credit of 688 days for the time he was in the Kane County jail while awaiting trial and sentencing.
“The defendant took advantage of his child victim, who was a family member, when she was at her most vulnerable spot, knowing nobody else in the country and not speaking the language,” Assistant State’s Attorney Morgan Wilkinson said. “He then threatened her for her silence. Despite his heinous actions, the victim in this case showed her resilience by speaking up for herself and testifying against him. I want to thank the victim for coming forward and testifying against her attacker to make sure that no other child would be a victim of the defendant.”
