Herrick Man Sentenced to 21 Years in IDOC in Fayette Co Court

A Herrick man was sentenced to 21 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections following a sentencing hearing in Fayette County Court on Tuesday. 60-year old Roger Seaton and defense attorney Monroe McWard appeared for the hearing with post-trial motions to be heard prior to sentencing. Following Judge Don Sheafor’s denial of all defense post-trial motions, the matter proceeded to sentencing. State’s Attorney Josh Morrison presented arguments in aggravation noting the seriousness of the three counts of predatory criminal sexual assault of a victim under 13 years old that Seaton was convicted of during a bench trial in February 2019. Defense Attorney McWard then called several family members and friends of Seaton to testify as witnesses in mitigation. After hearing from the witnesses, SA Morrison presented factors in aggravation and asked that Seaton be sentenced to 30 years on each of the three counts. Following McWard’s presenting of factors in mitigation and request that Seaton be sentenced in the range of 6-10 years on each count as well as Seaton’s statement of allocution, Judge Sheafor handed down the sentence. Seaton is sentenced to 7 years on each of the three counts to be served consecutively. Seaton will have to serve 85% of the sentence or 17 years and 10 months.