Elgin man gets 35 years for molesting three girls

An Elgin man was sentenced to 35 years in prison Friday for molesting three young girls in Elgin and Carpentersville.

Salvador Vargas Jr., 56, of the 0-99 block of Devonshire Circle, Elgin, pleaded guilty to one count of predatory criminal sexual assault and two counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse before Judge Timothy Sheldon, according to a news release from the Kane County State's Attorney's office.

Between 2004 and 2006, Vargas molested the three girls, who were all between the ages of 8 and 10.

Vargas was charged in September 2006 after one of the victims told her mother about the abuse.

The sentence, state's attorney spokesman Chris Nelson said in a release, breaks down as 25 years for the criminal sexual assault - a Class X felony - and five years for each count of criminal sexual abuse. The sentences are to be served consecutively.

The law requires Vargas to serve at least 85 percent - at least 21 years - of the criminal sexual assault sentence.

If he had not pleaded guilty, Vargas' trial was scheduled to begin next Monday.

"The sentence is appropriate and we are pleased that the victims have been spared the emotional trauma of testifying in court," said Assistant State's Attorney Justin Fitzsimmons, who prosecuted the case.

The Kane County Child Advocacy Center and the Elgin Police Department investigated the case.