Elgin man gets 37 years in prison for sexually assaulting child

A northwest suburban man has been sentenced to 37 years in prison for sexually assaulting a young child he knew over a period of four years.

Armando Vega, 51, was sentenced late Monday to 37 years in prison by Associate Judge Clint Hull, according to a statement from the Kane County state’s attorney’s office. He was convicted in February of four counts of predatory criminal sexual assault.

Between February 2007 and February 2011, Vega committed multiple sexual acts with the victim while she was sleeping on the sofa at a relative’s home, prosecutors said. Vega knew the victim, who was younger than 13 at the time.

During the sentencing hearing, Judge Hull said the victim suffered psychological harm and would continue to suffer as a result of the assaults.

“The greatest tragedy here is that this child was victimized by an adult who should have been caring for and protecting her. Mr. Vega is now in a place where he is no longer a threat to children,” State’s Attorney Joe McMahon said in the statement.

Vega, whose last known address was in the 300 block of Shiloh Lane in Elgin, must serve at least 85 percent of his sentence, and must register as a sex offender for life, according to the state’s attorney’s office. He will receive credit for at least 430 days served in the Kane County Jail.