Prospect Heights man admits guilt in sex abuse

A Prospect Heights man's guilty plea Tuesday to predatory criminal sexual assault means neither of his victims will have to testify at his trial.

"We're pleased that he stepped up and admitted what he did," said Assistant State's Attorney Karen Crothers.

In exchange for the plea, Charles Dobson, 42, of the 700 block of Glendale, received 10 years in prison for molesting a 7-year-old in 2001.

At the time of that incident, authorities investigated the victim's complaint but did not have enough evidence to prosecute Dobson, Crothers said.

In 2007, a 6-year-old victim came forward, which led to sexual abuse charges against Dobson. Last year, a jury found him guilty of aggravated criminal sexual abuse of the 6-year-old. Cook County Judge John Scotillo sentenced him to six years in prison for that crime.

Had the pending case gone to trial, prosecutors would have introduced that conviction into evidence, Crothers said.

Dobson's sentences will run concurrent. Because predatory criminal sexual assault is a Class X felony, he will serve at least 85 percent of the 10 year sentence. After he is released, Dobson will have to register with authorities where he lives, as a sex offender.