A judge sentenced a businessman from Oregon to 60 days in jail after he was convicted of sexually abusing a child, starting when she was as young as six, for years in McHenry County.
James P. Schlight, 69, of Ashland, Oregon, was found guilty in January by McHenry County Judge Mark Gerhardt of seven counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse of a child.
Schlight, a long-time resident of Oregon, would visit friends in Port Barrington multiple times between 2014 and 2018, prosecutors said.
Prosecutors said Schlight inappropriately touched a young girl repeatedly when she was between the ages of 6-10 during his visits.
Prosecutors at trial presented the testimony from the young victim, members of her family, along with corroborating evidence, all of which Gerhardt said he believed to be credible in arriving at his finding of guilty.
The Northwest Herald reported that Schlight has a career in computer science and software, with multiple degrees and patents, and is the owner of a software company.
Schlight was ordered to obtain a sex-offender evaluation after the jury trial had concluded.
The charges that Schlight was convicted of are Class 2 felonies, which carry a sentence from two to five years in the Illinois Department of Corrections.
A sentencing hearing was held on March 14 and Gerhardt sentenced Schlight to 60 days in jail on each charge, with the sentences being served concurrently and with day-for-day credit for a total of 30 actual days.
Schlight, who is set to be released from jail on April 12, will also be required to register as a sex offender.
McHenry County State’s Attorney Randi Freese said after the trial that she “commends all those involved in bringing Schlight to justice.”
Freese also recognized the victim for her “bravery and courage” to speak out and report the offenses, despite years having passed.