A 28-year-old fast-food restaurant manager pleaded guilty to two counts of aggravated sexual assault and was sentenced to 10 years in prison, the Beacon-News reports. Sandwich-based Bryan Kerber was facing 53 additional counts but they were dropped in exchange for his plea, according to reporters.
Kendall County State's Attorney Eric Weis told reporters that the 16-year-old (at the time) victim's parents were happy with the outcome:
"This sentence holds the defendant accountable for his actions against the victim while not requiring the victim to have to testify in this case."
The exact nature of Mr. Kerber's relationship with his teenage employee was not made clear, but a fellow employee contacted police about a perceived "inappropriate relationship with the employee" in late 2008. A four-month investigation led to charges in March 2009.
Despite Mr. Kerber's authority and the victim's age, prosecutors told reporters that no allegations of force or employment threats were made. The two counts that remained after the plea bargain were specifically related to his sexual relationship with an underage girl, according to the article.
Illinois criminal defense attorney Justin Sather, representing Mr. Kerber, told the paper he hoped for a lighter sentence because of what he believed to be his client's "low risk to reoffend." However, according to the article, he could have faced a possible sentence of 76 years in prison if he had been convicted on all 55 counts, which included 19 counts of sexual assault and 34 counts of felony aggravated sexual abuse.
It also was reported that Mr. Kerber, in accordance with the law, will have to register as a sex offender for the rest of his life.
Related Resources:
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Illinois Sex Offender Information (Il. State Police)
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Sex Offenders and Sex Offenses: Overview (FindLaw)
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Statutory Rape (LawBrain)
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Chicago Criminal Attorney Directory (FindLaw)
