Roselle man, 90, gets six years for child molesting
A 90-year-old Roselle man accused of molesting three children he befriended at church was sentenced Friday to six years in prison.
Prosecutors said Chester Stabrowski gave two of his victims — brothers ages 11 and 12 — baseball cards and wrist watches, and took them to Burger King, after they were assaulted at a summer 2007 pool party at his house. Four years earlier, they said, he molested a 12-year-old girl who also went swimming at his home.
Stabrowski had been scheduled to stand trial next week but instead pleaded guilty to predatory criminal sexual assault of a child Friday in exchange for a six-year term. Prosecutors dismissed additional charges that could have resulted in a life sentence if proven at trial. Stabrowski also must register as a sex offender.
Judge George Bakalis, in handing down the punishment, noted that a six-year term could amount to a life sentence for Stabrowski, who turns 91 in December.
“It's a very poor way to bring your life to a close,” Bakalis said.
Stabrowski befriended all of the victims while attending St. Walter Church in Roselle, said DuPage County prosecutor Enza LaMonica. He admitted to some of the acts in a recorded police interview after the boys told their parents.
LaMonica said Stabrowski offered baseball cards, basketball cards and a poster to the boys but told them “they would have to earn them.” He told police he was teaching one of the victims “what happens when you start to date.”
The mother of the two boys said in court she felt betrayed when she learned they were assaulted. She said Stabrowski used his trust as a fellow member of her church and the Knights of Columbus to “lure our children.”
“We never trust other adults around our children anymore,” she said. “Our trust is gone.”
Stabrowski was charged in 2008 but was found mentally unfit for trial last year because of suicidal thoughts and confusion. He was restored to fitness in February. Stabrowski, who appeared in court with his right arm in a sling, had no prior criminal history. By law, he must serve at least five years before he is eligible for parole. He received credit toward his term for two years served on home confinement.