Elgin man gets 10 years in prison for raping teen

An Elgin man was sentenced Friday to 10 years in prison for sexually assaulting a woman while threatening to kill her.

Luis Silva-Lopez, 23, pleaded guilty to one count of aggravated criminal sexual assault, a Class X felony, in exchange for the sentence. He had faced up to 30 years in prison if convicted at trial, said Kane County Circuit Judge Thomas E. Mueller.

Prosecutors said Silva-Lopez tried kissing the 17-year-old victim, a former friend, while they visited Aug. 27, 2009, at his home on the 700 block of South Street.

When she refused his advances, he grabbed her by the throat and threw her to the floor, then forced her to perform a sex act while threatening her with a knife, authorities said.

"She continued to tell him to stop," Assistant State's Attorney Deborah Lang said in court. "He said he was crazy and told her he would kill her."

After the assault, the victim escaped to a nearby street corner and called her mother, according to police.

By law, Silva-Lopez must serve at least 85 percent of his sentence, or 8 1/2 years, and register as a sex offender when released. He was given credit for 352 days in the county jail.

Silva-Lopez previously was convicted of domestic battery in July 2009 for striking an Elgin girl in the back of the head with a set of car keys in his hand, according to court records. He did not make a statement in court Friday.