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West Chicago man convicted of raping two girls gets 24 years

A West Chicago man maintained his innocence Thursday afternoon as he was sentenced to 24 years in prison for raping two young girls.

Darinel Velazquez-Roblero, 28, of the 700 block of Main Street, was found guilty in April of repeatedly raping two family members - 12- and 13-year-old girls - in 2012 and 2013. Prosecutors sought a sentence of 50 years.

He was sentenced on the charges of predatory criminal sexual assault of a child and aggravated criminal sexual abuse.

Prosecutors said he assaulted the oldest girl repeatedly in the spring and summer of 2012 when she was 12 and then 13. He then began abusing the younger girl in early 2013 when she turned 12.

His actions eventually came to light when one of the victims broke down emotionally at a party and told other family members. She also had begun cutting herself and contemplated suicide.

"His sick and twisted conduct caused a young girl, who had barely begun to live her life, to think about ending it," Assistant State's Attorney Jennifer Lindt said at Thursday's sentencing. "He cruelly raped and abused two little girls."

Velazquez-Roblero, however, pleaded with Judge Robert Kleeman through an interpreter for mercy, calling the girls liars.

"This problem has been taken too far," he said, through an interpreter. "This is just a great lie."

Kleeman, however, recalled the trial and disagreed.

"The defendant is entitled to maintain his innocence but I don't share his views," Kleeman said. "He knew what he was doing and he kept doing it over and over."

Velazquez-Roblero gets credit for his 802 days in custody and, with good behavior, will serve about 19 years in prison.

His next court date to file any post-sentence motions was scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Oct. 28.

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