A Vandalia man facing jury trial this week on three counts of criminal sexual assault and four counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse was found guilty by a jury of three of the seven counts he was charged with. Following closing arguments on Friday morning by both the state and defense in the trial of 48-year old Robert V. Willenborg, the jury would retire for deliberations and after about three hours, announced Friday afternoon that they had come to a verdict. Willenborg was found guilty of count four for aggravated criminal sexual abuse, being a person who holds a position of trust, authority or supervision and having committed an act of sexual conduct with Victim 1 who was between the ages of 13 and 17 as Willenborg knowingly touched the victim’s breast for the purpose of sexual arousal. Willenborg was found guilty on count five for aggravated criminal sexual abuse, being a person who holds a position of trust, authority or supervision and having committed an act of sexual conduct with Victim 1 who was between the ages of 13 and 17 as Willenborg knowingly touched the victim’s vagina for the purpose of sexual arousal. Willenborg was found guilty on count seven for aggravated criminal sexual abuse, being a person who holds a position of trust, authority or supervision and having committed an act of sexual conduct with Victim 1 who was between the ages of 13 and 17 as Willenborg knowingly rubbed his penis on the butt and back of the victim for the purpose of sexual arousal. Each of the counts is a Class 1 felony that are punishable by up to 4 to 15 years in prison. State statute also says that since the crimes were not committed while the convicted person, in this case Willenborg, was serving probation for a previous felony, the judge may impose a sentence of probation or conditional discharge for up to four years. Willenborg was acquitted on the other four counts he was charged with as counts one thru three were for criminal sexual assault and the fourth remaining count was an additional count of aggravated criminal sexual abuse. Following the reading of the verdict, Judge Alan Lolie heard arguments as to detainment. Fayette County State’s Attorney Brenda Mathis asked the court to revoke Willenborg’s bond on the basis of the seriousness of the crimes of which he was convicted. Defense attorney Monroe McWard argued that Willenborg was not a flight risk and had done everything asked of him by probation in accordance with his bond. Taking both arguments into account, Judge Lolie ruled that Willenborg would be detained until sentencing. Sentencing in the case has been set for August 12 at 1:00pm.
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