An Island Lake man has been sentenced to nine years in prison after he pleaded guilty to raping a girl under the age of 13.
During a blind plea agreement in February, Robert Ballarini, 59, of Island Lake, pleaded guilty to one count of predatory criminal sexual assault of a child, a Class X felony.
Ballarini was originally indicted on 10 counts of predatory criminal sexual assault of a child. Prosecutors dropped his other nine counts in exchange for his guilty plea.
McHenry County Judge Robert Wilbrandt sentenced Ballarini on Friday to nine years in the Illinois Department of Corrections. He will also be required to pay $1,863 in court fees and fines.
The Island Lake Police Department launched an investigation in July 2018 after two females reported being sexually assaulted by Ballarini to a family member.
The investigation revealed that Ballarini sexually penetrated at least one girl under the age of 13.
Ballarini is required to serve 85% of his sentence, according to Illinois truth-in-sentencing guidelines.
The case was investigated by the Island Lake Police Department and prosecuted by Assistant State’s Attorney Michael Combs.