Wauconda-area man given 104 years in sex assault case
A former Wauconda Township man convicted of repeatedly assaulting an 8-year-old girl will spend the rest of his life in prison, a Lake County judge ruled Thursday.
Carl Horak, 26, was sentenced to 104 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections by Circuit Judge Fred Foreman, who said the crimes approach the seriousness of a homicide.
"You have not accepted any responsibility for these actions," Foreman told Horak. "These were despicable acts. They are the types of things that no young child should have to suffer through."
Defense Attorney Robert Ritacca said Horak will appeal the decision.
Horak was convicted in January of 13 counts of predatory criminal sexual assault of a child. Foreman sentenced him to eight years for each count. Horak faced a mandatory prison sentence of 78 to 120 years.
Horak and his wife, Tiffany, were arrested in January 2008 for repeatedly molesting the girl over a five-month period. They were arrested after the girl told a relative about the attacks.
Assistant State's Attorney Ari Fisz read a statement from the victim during the sentencing hearing.
"Because of what Carl did to me, I am in foster care," Fisz read from the statement. "I am angry about what he did to me. I will think about it when I am older."
In a brief statement, Carl Horak asked Foreman for "consideration" and cited his minimal criminal record.
Fisz responded that he did not know what kind of consideration Carl Horak was seeking, because he had not admitted to or apologized for the crimes.
"She was completely defenseless and he abused this girl over and over and over," Fisz said.
Tiffany Horak pleaded guilty in July, in exchange for a 14-year sentence and a promise to provide truthful testimony against her husband.
When she struck a plea deal, Tiffany Horak gave Fisz a statement about her husband's activities with the girl.
However, during Carl Horak's trial, Tiffany Horak testified she did not remember many of the details in the statement. Fisz had asked that her plea agreement be revoked, but Foreman determined the deal will stand and she continues to serve the 14-year sentence.