Kane Co. judge sends homeless sex offender back to prison

A homeless man was sentenced to two years in prison Friday after admitting he violated his sex offender registry by failing to check in weekly with Elgin police.

Lawrence G. Madden, 55, has a history of violating court orders stemming from his criminal past, including a 1992 conviction for raping a 12-year-old.

Madden's most recent arrest came Nov. 28, 2008, in Elgin after he failed to inform police of his whereabouts - a weekly requirement because he was homeless.

Kane County Assistant State's Attorney Pam Monaco said Madden also was found guilty of failing to register as a sex offender in 2003 and again in 2007.

"He has a significant criminal history," she said.

Madden has been sent to prison three times, including a 15-year sentence in the 1992 case, and been convicted of a variety of offenses, including domestic battery, disorderly conduct and violating orders of protection, court records show.

On Friday, Madden pleaded guilty to one Class 2 felony count of violating the sex offender registry in exchange for two years in prison and two years of parole.

Madden, who had faced up to seven years in prison if convicted at trial, was credited for 224 days already served under the plea deal accepted by Kane County Judge T. Jordan Gallagher.