FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

McHenry County State’s Attorney Randi L. Freese announces that on June 3, 2026, Charles R. Sprague, 70, of Lake in the Hills, Illinois, was sentenced to 12 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections after pleading guilty to Predatory Criminal Sexual Assault, a Class X felony. The sentence was imposed by the Honorable Judge Tiffany Davis pursuant to a negotiated plea agreement.

Pursuant to Illinois Truth-in-Sentencing laws, Sprague must serve a minimum of 85% of his prison sentence before becoming eligible for release. Upon his release from custody, he will be subject to a term of Mandatory Supervised Release ranging from three years to natural life and will be required to register as a sex offender for the remainder of his life.

The conviction stems from a delayed report of sexual abuse that occurred in McHenry County between 2007 and 2010. In 2025, the Crystal Lake Police Department received information from an out-of-state law enforcement agency regarding allegations of childhood sexual abuse. A joint investigation conducted by the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office in Florida and the Crystal Lake Police Department revealed that Sprague sexually abused the victim while the victim was under the age of thirteen and residing in Crystal Lake, Illinois.

State’s Attorney Freese commended the victim for the courage it took to come forward years after the abuse occurred.

"The strength and courage demonstrated by this victim in reporting these crimes cannot be overstated," said State's Attorney Freese. "Experience has shown that for many survivors of childhood sexual abuse, coming forward is an incredibly difficult and deeply personal decision. By speaking up, this victim helped ensure accountability and helped bring justice in a case that otherwise may have remained hidden. Our office stands with survivors, and we want victims to know that no matter how much time has passed, we will pursue justice and prosecute these cases to the fullest extent that both the law and the evidence allow."

State’s Attorney Freese also thanked Detective Tietz and the members of the Crystal Lake Police Department, as well as the investigators and officers of the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, for their diligent work and collaboration in bringing this case to a successful conclusion.

This matter was successfully prosecuted by Assistant State’s Attorney Shelby Page.

####