Woodstock man who sexually assaulted, abused girl gets 11 years in prison
A 39-year-old Woodstock man was sentenced to 11 years in prison for the sexual assault and fondling of a girl he knew in late 2015.
Anthony V. Ferrara was arrested in early 2016 on charges of predatory criminal sexual assault of a child younger than 13 and aggravated criminal sexual abuse, both felonies.
A bench trial was held before McHenry County Judge James S. Cowlin in March 2018 and he rendered his guilty verdict on April 4.
Ferrara was convicted of both felonies, which occurred on Dec. 25, 2015. He also must pay $2,600 in fines and fees and must register as a sex offender for life.
He also was subject to consecutive terms, meaning he must serve 85 percent of the 11-year sentence, or a little more than nine years, and then the three years on the abuse charge.
The three-year term can be cut in half for good behavior under Illinois law.
The investigation leading to Ferrara's arrest was conducted by the Woodstock Police Department, McHenry County State's Attorney's Office, Illinois Department of Children and Family Services and the McHenry County Child Advocacy Center.
Victor Escarcida and Sharyl Eisenstein prosecuted the case.