From the State’s Attorney:
JAMES P. SCHLIGHT FOUND GUILTY OF SEVEN COUNTS OF AGGRAVATED CRIMINAL SEXUAL ABUSE OF A CHILD
The McHenry County State’s Attorney’s Office announces that James P. Schlight, 69, of Ashland, Oregon, was found guilty of seven counts of Aggravated Criminal Sexual Abuse of a Child by the Honorable Judge Mark R. Gerhardt. The matter is now scheduled for a Sentencing Hearing on March 14, 2025.
Schlight, a long-time resident of Oregon, would visit friends in Port Barrington multiple times between 2014 and 2018.
During his visits, Schlight inappropriately touched a young girl repeatedly when she was between the ages of six and ten.
At trial, prosecutors presented the testimony from the young victim, members of her family, along with corroborating evidence, all of which the judge stated to be credible in arriving at his determination.
Prior to the March 14 sentencing hearing, Schlight must obtain a sex-offender evaluation.
Class 2 felonies come with a sentencing term of between two and five years in the Illinois Department of Corrections.
Based on the nature of the charges for which he was found guilty, Schlight will also be required to register as a sex offender as part of the sentencing terms.
McHenry County State’s Attorney Randi Freese commends all those involved in bringing Schlight to justice.
Ms. Freese would like to especially recognize the victim for her bravery and courage to speak out, even though years had passed, to report these offenses.
The State’s Attorney also thanks the members of the McHenry County Sheriff’s Office for their investigative efforts and congratulates Assistant State’s Attorneys Ashur Y. Youash and Justin Neubauer for their successful prosecution of this case.
