Judge Sharon Prather Keeps Pedophile in Prison
The following press release has been received from McHenry County State’s Attorney Lou Bianchi:
State’s Attorney’s office successful in keeping sexually dangerous person in custodyMcHenry County State’s Attorney, Louis A. Bianchi, is pleased to announce that
The Honorable Judge Sharon Prather ruled today that David P. Hoffman, a defendant who was previously adjudicated a Sexually Dangerous Person, will remain in custody.The State’s Attorney’s Office opposed Hoffman’s release, despite progress he has made in treatment, arguing that he remains a dangerous pedophile.
Hoffman, formerly of Woodstock, has been in state custody since 1980. He was declared a sexually dangerous person in connection with charges that he repeatedly abused two teenage boys in the late 1970’s.
While in custody, Hoffman admitted to a state psychiatrist that he molested at least 56 children, both boys and girls ranging from ages 2 to 16.
A psychiatrist called by the State as a witness testified that Hoffman, despite his long incarceration, still shows a sexual predisposition toward children.
In addition, prison authorities recently found magazine photographs of children in Hoffman’s cell, some hidden within the pages of a Bible.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant State’s Attorney Philip Hiscock and Ryan Blackney. By statute, those adjudicated as a sexually dangerous person are eligible for a hearing for release every twelve months.
