This is hard to read. It is sickening how he took advantage of this child, was a relative, thought the child was too feebleminded to tell on him, and WORST of all said he was preparing her for womanhood. And of course at court said he was church-going, had a job (go get that employer), yada yada...


Bensenville man gets 16 years molesting disabled girl
By Christy Gutowski | Daily Herald Staff



Published: 1/9/2009 3:03 PM


A Bensenville man was sentenced Friday to 16 years in prison for molesting a learning-impaired child whom he targeted because he figured she was too feebleminded to tell.

Mario Chavez was supposed to be the 12-year-old female relative's protector, but he instead assaulted her six to 10 times during a four-month period last year in her bedroom.

The child's mother wrote an emotional letter to DuPage Circuit Judge Blanche Hill Fawell telling of the crime's impact. She said her daughter still is in counseling and, for a while, did not want to live.

"Mario is a predator that preyed on my poor daughter because of her learning and speech disability," the mother wrote. "He felt that she would be too afraid to tell me because he told her that if she disclosed anything to me he would do it to her worse. He was wrong.

"She is brave for coming forward and I will forever be proud of her for that."

Prosecutor Brian Perkins said Chavez confessed and said he was trying to prepare the girl for womanhood.

"One of the most twisted aspects of this case is how he tried to justify his conduct," Perkins said. "He used her essentially as his sexual play thing."

Chavez did not have a criminal history besides two suspended license violations. He expressed remorse and has taken dozens of religious and vocational classes in jail since his arrest last year.

Chavez pleaded guilty Oct. 16 to predatory criminal sexual assault. He faced six to 30 years in prison when sentenced Friday. Perkins sought a 24-year term; the defense asked for eight.

"This is a horrible offense," said Steven Dalton, a senior assistant public defender. "He's never attempted to make an excuse for why this happened. I believe he's probably struggling with that himself. The defendant simply took responsibility from the day it was brought to the attention of the police. He recognized the pain he has caused."

The defendant's older brother also testified Friday that Chavez appeared to be a good family man who was employed and volunteered at his church.

Clutching a Bible while handcuffed, an apologetic Chavez rose to his feet and asked for forgiveness and said he accepts full responsibility.

The illegal resident must serve 85 percent of his sentence and then will be deported.

In meting out the punishment, Fawell found the fact Chavez intentionally preyed upon a girl with disabilities especially troubling. His comment that his sentence was harsh sparked this response from her:

"It is a long time," Fawell said. "It's supposed to be a long time."

http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=263323