4½ years for former Lake in the Hills cop who sexually assaulted teenager

A former Lake in the Hills deputy police chief was sentenced to 4½ years in prison Wednesday after admitting to sexually assaulting a girl he knew in 2015.

Alan R. Bokowski, 61, of the 1300 block of Dolo Rosa Vista, Crystal Lake, was set for a jury trial next week on charges of aggravated criminal sexual assault and numerous charges that he possessed a cache of 10 rifles, shotguns and handguns without a Firearm Owner's Identification card.

Instead, he pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting the girl, who was 16 at the time, and prosecutors dropped the weapons charges.

The sexual assault charge carried a prison term ranging from four to 15 years, but probation was an option.

"He could have been sentenced to more (time in prison if convicted after a trial)," said McHenry County Assistant State's Attorney Sharyl Eisenstein. "By having the plea, it gives finality to the victim without her having to come and testify."

Had the case gone to trial, prosecutors would have presented evidence that Bokowski, who held a position of trust over the girl, engaged in a sex act with her Nov. 22, 2015, and later admitted to the girl's stepmother what he did in a conversation that was recorded by a court-approved wiretap, Eisenstein said.

Bokowski did not address Judge Sharon Prather during the hearing and attorney Peggy Gerkin declined to comment outside of court.

Eisenstein read victim impact statements from the girl's parents, who said they considered Bokowski as part of their "extended family" and that they allowed their daughter to care for Bokowski's ailing mother.

"Little did I know he was abusing her mentally and sexually," the victim's stepmother wrote.

The victim's father said his daughter no longer trusts people, is angry and needs extensive therapy and counseling.

"I am disgusted and extremely angry," read part of the father's letter. "It was very difficult to see her going through some very dark changes."

As part of his guilty plea, Bokowski also was ordered to pay about $908 that the victim's family paid for medical expenses, and he could be subject to pay up to $10,000 for future treatment.

Under state law, Bokowski, who retired from the police department in 2006 after 26 years, must serve 85 percent of his prison term and register as a sex offender.