Elgin man gets 9 years for assaulting 14-year-old

A tearful, 22-year-old Elgin man expressed remorse Tuesday following his guilty plea to sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl he met on Facebook last year.

Diego Muro was sentenced by Cook County Judge Thomas Fecarotta to a total of 9 years in prison: five years in exchange for his guilty plea to child pornography charges and four years for his plea to aggravated criminal sexual abuse. Fecarotta also ordered Muro pay $3,979 in fines and register as a sex offender upon his release from prison.

Last May, Muro contacted the victim, who he did not know, through a Facebook friend request, said Cook County Assistant State's Attorney Pamela Stratigakis.

Muro and the girl began communicating through cellphone and text messages, Stratigakis said. In June 2013, their text messages revealed discussions of sexual acts.

On June 9, 2013, the victim informed Muro she was 14. He told her to "lie about her age to people so it wouldn't look bad," Stratigakis said.

That same month, said Stratigakis, Muro had sexual contact with the victim at her home and took photos of their sexual activities on his cellphone.

Muro expressed remorse to the court.

"I have to man up and accept responsibility," he said.

Noting his contrition, Fecarotta said he believed Muro's statements were heartfelt.