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Chicago man get 15 years for molesting boy who went on to molest

A Chicago man who admitted molesting a young boy in 1996 was sentenced to 15 years in prison Monday in Lake County Circuit Court.

The victim in that case, who is now 21 years old, is currently serving a prison sentence for molesting a young girl.

Charles Pashegoba, 46, pleaded guilty to aggravated criminal sexual assault in August in exchange for a promise that his prison term would not exceed 15 years.

Pashegoba repeatedly molested the boy, who was then 8 to 9 years old, while baby-sitting him at his parent's house in Round Lake Beach.

The victim came forward with the story of his abuse in 2008, after he had been arrested for molesting a 10-year-old girl in his Round Lake Beach home.

Assistant State's Attorney James Newman said the victim was able to provide police with enough corroborating evidence to charge Pashegoba, and that the statue of limitations for sex crimes also permitted the prosecution.

The victim, who was brought to Lake County from prison to attend Pashegoba's sentencing, did not point to his own abuse as the motivation for his crime in his victim impact statement, which Newman read to the court.

However, the statement did say the victim suffers recurring nightmares and is unable to form relationships with adult males.

He pleaded guilty to predatory sexual assault of a child and aggravated criminal sexual abuse in June 2008, and was sentenced to five years in prison to be followed by four years of probation.

Newman asked Associate Judge Daniel Shanes to sentence Pashegoba to all 15 years of the prison sentence he was eligible for as an example to others.

"We need to send a message that no matter how long the victim waits to come forward, we will prosecute you," Newman said. "And if you are guilty, we will be asking for a substantial prison sentence."

Assistant Public Defender Katherine Hatch asked for leniency for her client, saying mental health and substance abuse issues were responsible for his criminal activity.

Hatch called relatives of Pashegoba to testify that he served as a live-in caregiver for his elderly grandparents and had also voluntarily assisted other relatives over the years.

"In a way, Mr. Pashegoba presents as the literary Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde," Shanes said in delivering the sentence. "He has the capacity to care for others and the capacity to do tremendous harm to others."