A Lake County man found guilty of sexually assaulting a person in Deerfield, who had a previous sex conviction in Cook County, has been sentenced to mandatory natural life in prison.
Chris Butler, 44, was charged in May of 2024 after the Deerfield Police Department received a report of a sexual assault that occurred at a local hotel, officials with the Lake County State’s Attorneys Office said.
Upon responding to the complaint, officers learned that the victim knew the offender, and witnesses reported observing the attack.
Butler fled to Champaign, officials said, where he was located and taken into custody by the Champaign Police Department.
Butler was found guilty of two Class 1 felony counts of Criminal Sexual Assault following a bench trial in April.
Even though the current charges against Butler were only Class 1 felonies, Butler was sentenced to mandatory life in prison due to having a prior sexual offense conviction in Cook County in 2007.
During the sentencing hearing, Assistant Lake County State’s Attorneys Lauren Walker and Brooke Wanzenberg argued that Butler has been a sexual predator for almost twenty years and a mandatory life sentence reflects the Illinois legislature’s decision to severely treat those who engage in repetitive conduct of sexual assault, authorities said.
“Our first thoughts are always with the survivor of this violent offense,” Lake County State’s Attorney Eric Rinehart said. “We will support them beyond the close of this case. Next, we are satisfied that the community is safer after this life sentence. Experienced trial prosecutors and police investigators delivered and made sure that this offender faced justice.”
Butler has been held in the Lake County Jail since he was charged after the state filed a petition to detain Butler until trial.
Butler has been held in the Lake County Jail since he was charged after the state filed a petition to detain and a judge granted that petition.
Before September 2023, individuals charged with sex crimes were able to be released from jail after posting a cash bond, state’s attorney officials said.
Now, under reforms, sex offenders can be detained without the ability to use their cash to be released, officials said.