Grayslake man gets prison for molesting girl

John Pistilli was sentenced to 15 years in prison Friday for molesting a young Highland Park girl inside a Gurnee store.

Associate Judge Daniel Shanes told Pistilli that after he completes the prison sentence, he will have to register as a sex offender and will be on parole for the remainder of his life.

The former Grayslake man pleaded guilty Dec. 4 in an agreement that assured him of a prison sentence of at least six, but no more than 18 years.

Pistilli, 54, was inside the Community Thrift Store, 3440 Grand Ave., on Aug. 21, 2008 when he encountered two girls, ages 5 and 7.

He approached the girls and put his hand inside the younger one's pants and then quickly left the store.

Police were called but were unable to locate Pistilli until a store employee recognized him when he returned about a week later.

The girl was shown a picture of Pistilli and identified him as the man who had attacked her.

Police said Pistilli confessed to the crime during an interview.

He was charged with predatory criminal sexual assault of a child and criminal sexual abuse, although the sexual abuse charge was dropped in exchange for his guilty plea to the more serious charge.

Defense attorney James Schwarzbach said Pistilli served a probationary term in Florida after a 1994 conviction for child molesting there.

Without the agreement that led to his plea, Pistilli would have faced a maximum of 30 years in prison.