Attorney General Kwame Raoul announced that a man from DeKalb County has been sentenced to 25 years in prison for kidnapping a 13-year-old family member with severe developmental disabilities. This incident is related to a sexual assault case. Franklin E. Tooley, 19, from Somonauk, Illinois, pleaded guilty to one count of aggravated kidnapping in the DeKalb County Circuit Court. Judge Marcy L. Buick ruled that Tooley must serve 85% of his sentence.
“This guilty plea and sentence represents a measure of justice for the innocent victim and their family after the defendant violated their trust in the most unthinkable way possible, and I hope this result aids their efforts to heal,” Raoul stated. He emphasized his commitment to partnerships with law enforcement and prosecutors to hold perpetrators accountable and support survivors.
Authorities state that Tooley was arrested in March 2023 by the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office. The arrest followed an investigation into the sexual assault of his family member, which took place between January and February 2023. Tooley was found to have disabled the video cameras that the family used to monitor the victim.
The prosecution of the case was a joint effort between Attorney General Raoul’s office and the DeKalb County State’s Attorney Riley Oncken. Oncken emphasized gratitude for the assistance provided by Raoul's office in securing justice for the victim. “Those who prey on the young, disabled, or other vulnerable victims deserve to be incarcerated where they cannot commit further harm to families and our community,” Oncken said.
Attorney General Raoul reminded the public to report child sexual exploitation online at cybertipline.com and child abuse at dcfsonlinereporting.dcfs.illinois.gov. Additionally, local child advocacy centers are accessible at childrensadvocacycentersofillinois.org.
Assistant Attorney General Jonathan McKay and Assistant DeKalb County State’s Attorney Brooks Locke were involved in the prosecution of the case.