Danville man convicted of criminal sexual assault of a child

April 19--DANVILLE -- A Danville man was found guilty Wednesday of three counts of predatory criminal sexual assault of a child, according to Vermilion County State's Attorney Jacqueline Lacy.

During a two-day trial, evidence was presented that Richard V. Ashley, 39, committed regular acts of sexual penetration and contact with a female child during a three-year period while he was babysitting her.

The abuse began when the child was 6 years old and continued until she was 8, according to the information from Lacy.

The survivor and various family members testified at the trial. Danville Detective Danielle Lewallen investigated the case and also testified.

Ashley will be sentenced at 3:15 p.m. Thursday, June 7 in Vermilion County Circuit Court. He faces a range between six and 60 years for each count of predatory criminal sexual assault, which is a Class X felony.

For the three counts, he could face between 18 to 180 years total in the Illinois Department of Corrections that must be consecutively. He must serve 85 percent of whatever he is sentenced.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant State's Attorney Stephanie Weber and Daniel Taylor. Circuit Judge Nancy S. Fahey presided over the jury trial and will preside over the sentencing hearing.

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