Man gets 10½ years for molesting landlord’s young daughter

A man rooming with an Aurora family used a toy to lure his landlord’s young daughter into his bedroom and sexually assault her, he admitted in court Thursday.

DuPage County Judge John Kinsella called the crime “despicable” as he sentenced Julian Flores-Ledezma to 10½ years in prison.

“I hope you reflect upon the disgusting nature of this crime and the damage you’ve done to an innocent child,” the judge said. “You ought to be ashamed.”

The DuPage Children’s Center launched an investigation last year after the victim’s school received information about the case. The assault happened in late 2007 or early 2008, when the victim was 8 or 9 years old, according to court records.

At the time, Flores-Ledezma was renting a room from the victim’s family. He used a children’s toy to lure the girl, Assistant State’s Attorney Mike Fisher said.

Flores-Ledezma, 29, pleaded guilty to predatory criminal sexual assault of a child and must serve nearly nine years of his sentence before he could be eligible for parole. Authorities identified him as an illegal immigrant and said he also faces deportation.

He had no prior criminal record, defense attorney Al Kola said.

“He apologized to the family for what he did,” Kola said. “He’s sorry about what happened and wants to move on with his life.”

The defendant had been jailed on $250,000 bail since his arrest in May 2012.