Wheaton man gets 39 years for molesting boy

Calling a Wheaton man's actions despicable, a judge Tuesday sentenced him to 39 years in prison for molesting a 11-year-old boy after befriending his family.

Ronald E. Vest, 64, was convicted last month of predatory criminal sexual assault and aggravated criminal sexual abuse charges. He faced 27 to 120 years in prison.

Vest did not have much of a criminal history, but DuPage Circuit Judge Kathryn Creswell threw the book at him, noting a pattern of predatory acts.

Vest met the boy and his father at a car show in July 2005, sparking a friendship in which the family began attending his church, prosecutors Cathy DeLaMar and Michael Pawl said.

Vest gave the boy numerous gifts, including the establishment of a college scholarship fund. Much of the abuse occurred in Vest's home in Wheaton during sleepovers, prosecutors said. DeLaMar said Vest brainwashed the child through religion, even sending him 100 e-mails twisting biblical references.

That fall, his parents grew suspicious after noticing behavior changes in their son. They contacted police, who launched an investigation that led to the charges.

The boy said that as hard as he tries, he can't forget the horrible memories.

"I was confused why he chose to do what he did, when instead he could have had a great relationship with my family and me," he said in a statement read in court. "I know that after this is over, I will not have to think about it anymore. I pray to God that he will erase these memories from my mind.

"I also thank God for all the wonderful people who have been so helpful in this long and hard process."

Vest must serve 85 percent of most of his sentence before being eligible for parole. His criminal history included a 1990 public indecency charge for exposing himself in a DuPage County forest preserve.