Former Carpentersville man faces life for sexually assaulting a child

Eight years after committing the crime, a former Carpentersville man faces a mandatory sentence of life in prison for sexually assaulting a child.

Kane County Circuit Judge James C. Hallock Friday convicted James E. Melvin, 40, of predatory criminal sexual assault and six counts of aggravated predatory criminal sexual abuse, all felonies.

Melvin, most recently of the 1200 block of South Court Street, Rockford, waived his right to a jury trial.

He faces a mandatory sentence of life imprisonment because he now has multiple convictions for predatory criminal sexual assault. He was first convicted of the offense in 1998 in Cook County.

Prosecutors said that in February 2009, Melvin sexually assaulted a child he knew.

The victim, who was younger than 12 years old, immediately told her mother, who promptly contacted the authorities.

Melvin pleaded guilty in the case in 2009, but in 2015 the Illinois Appellate Court Second District ruled that the plea was improper and returned the case to the trial court.

Melvin is scheduled to appear for motions and sentencing Feb. 23.

Melvin remains in custody at the Kane County jail, where he has been held since his arrest in lieu of $1 million bail. Bond was revoked upon conviction.

"The law that requires life in prison for child sex offenses was created because of dangerous predators like Mr. Melvin. He belongs in prison where he no longer poses a threat to vulnerable children. My thanks to our staff at the Child Advocacy Center, and to the Carpentersville Police Department for its assistance," Kane County State's Attorney Joe McMahon said.