Child Sex Offender Gets 39 Years in IDOC

WHEATON -  DuPage County State’s Attorney, Joseph E. Birkett, announced today that 64 year old Ronald E. Vest, (d.o.b. 7/17/43) formerly of 455 Front Street, Number 510, Wheaton, Illinois, was sentenced today to 39 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections for the 2005 sexual assault of an 11 year old boy.  On December 14, 2007, a jury found Vest guilty of four counts of Predatory Criminal Sexual Assault of a Child and two counts of Aggravated Criminal Sexual Abuse. 

            Today’s sentencing is the result of an investigation led by the Wheaton Police Department with assistance from the DuPage County Children’s Center.  The victim’s parents alerted the police after they noticed a change in their son’s behavior.  The investigation found that Vest initially met the victim and his parents at a car show in the summer of 2005.  Vest continued to socialize with the family thereafter and strengthened the relationship through gifts and going to their home for dinner.  Vest also told the family he intended to set up a scholarship fund on behalf of his victim.  Once he had gained the trust of the family, the young boy stayed overnight Vest’s home several times during the months of July through November 2005.   It was during these overnight stays that the assaults occurred.   

“At 64 years-old, facing a 39 year sentence, it is very likely Mr. Vest will spend the rest of his life behind bars for what he did to this little boy,” commented Birkett.  “This life sentence is fitting considering that Mr. Vest, in his actions, claimed a victim for life.”

Vest will be required to serve 85% of his sentence, or slightly more than 33 years, before he is eligible for parole.

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