46-year-old José L. Godinez of Aurora was sentenced in absentia today to 18 years in prison for sexually assaulting a child.
Mr. Godinez was released from the Kane County jail in May of last year after posting $30,000 bond, and has not appeared in court since. He remains at large.
A Kane County jury in May found Godinez guilty in absentia of the offenses of:
· Criminal sexual assault, Class 1 felony, 2 counts
· Aggravated criminal sexual abuse, Class 2 felony, 4 counts
Kane County Assistant State’s Attorneys Matthew Rodgers and Tyler Cox presented evidence that between January 2015 and July 2018, Godinez sexually assaulted the victim, whom he knew. The victim was younger than 18 years old.
In addition to the prison term, Godinez must register for life as a sexual offender in accordance with the Illinois Sexual Offender Registration Act.
Godinez’s whereabouts are unknown and there is an active warrant for his arrest. Anyone with information about him should call 911 or the Kane County Child Advocacy Center at (630) 201-5160.
“Mr. Godinez sexually assaulted a child on numerous occasions and then he refused to be held to account for his criminal actions,” ASA Rodgers said. “That’s a far cry from this victim, who showed tremendous strength and courage in coming forward to tell her story. Thanks to the staff at the Kane County Child Advocacy Center for their work in providing justice to this victim.”
