Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul has secured a 25-year prison sentence for Franklin E. Tooley, a DeKalb County man who pleaded guilty to kidnapping and sliding deeper into the abyss of violation by sexually assaulting a 13-year-old relative who has severe developmental disabilities, a press release from the Attorney General's Office revealed.
In a collaborative effort between the State and DeKalb County State’s Attorney Riley Oncken, the sentencing of Tooley in the DeKalb County Circuit Court denotes a convergence of legal might aimed at righting a wrong, Tooley will be required to serve at least 85% of his sentence, says a statement from Raoul's office. Raoul commented on the matter, "This guilty plea and sentence represents a measure of justice for the innocent victim and their family after the defendant violated their trust in the most unthinkable way possible, and I hope this result aids their efforts to heal."
The details leading to Tooley's arrest paint a disturbing picture, an intricate betrayal unfolded over the span of January to February 2023, not merely an assault on the bodily autonomy of a young life, but on the sanctuary of familial trust; the perpetrator even went as far as disabling security cameras installed for the victim's protection. The Attorney General highlighted this malicious intent and affirmed his commitment "to continued partnerships with local law enforcement agencies and prosecutors that help hold perpetrators accountable," as per the press release.
DeKalb County State's Attorney Riley Oncken expressed gratitude for the assistance from the Attorney General's Office, stating, "Those who prey on the young, disabled, or other vulnerable victims deserve to be incarcerated where they cannot commit further harm to families and our community." The case was prosecuted by Assistant Attorney General Jonathan McKay and Assistant DeKalb County State’s Attorney Brooks Locke. For those witnessing such tragic exploitation, resources such as cybertipline.com for sexual exploitation and dcfsonlinereporting.dcfs.illinois.gov for child abuse have been underscored by Raoul's office as critical reporting avenues.
