19-year sentence for kidnapping, attempted rape

A Crystal Lake man was sentenced to 19 years in prison Thursday for plotting to kidnap his ex-girlfriend, rape her and post it on the Internet before killing himself with sleeping pills.

Steven W. Hess, 57, of the 400 block of West Virginia Street, must serve 85 percent of his sentence — a little more than 16 years — and pay $1,583 in fines and court costs, court records show.

McHenry County Judge Sharon Prather issued the sentence after Hess pleaded guilty in February to aggravated kidnapping and attempted criminal sexual assault.

He faced a maximum term of 30 years.

Hess's plan was foiled by a Good Samaritan, who saw Hess fighting with the victim the night of Dec. 9, 2009.

Prosecutors said Hess lured his ex-girlfriend — a Crystal Lake woman who is now 53 — into his car, tied a rope around her neck and bound her wrists with plastic zip ties.

Hess then drove her to a vacant store where he served as the property manager but once inside she broke free. Hess punched her and sprayed her with pepper spray, but a passer-by outside saw the altercation, yelled at Hess and the woman escaped.

Hess was arrested the next morning near his car, which was burning in a field near Woodstock.

Authorities searched the building and found a hidden floor panel leading to the basement. Inside was a makeshift bed, pre-tied ropes, twist-ties, knives and condoms, officials said.

Prosecutors said Hess confessed that he planned to rape the woman, post the assault on the Internet and later kill himself by overdosing on sleeping pills.