Aurora man gets prison for child abduction attempt

An Aurora man has been sent to prison for trying to lure a child from a grocery store into his vehicle the day after Christmas 2009, according to a news release sent by the Kane County State's Attorney's office.

Stephen P. Sweigart, 62, of the 900 block of Lenwood Court, Aurora, was sentenced today by Associate Judge Edward C. Schreiber to three years in the Illinois Department of Corrections. Sweigart was convicted May 27, 2011, by Judge Schreiber of one count of child abduction, a Class 4 felony.

In addition, on Feb. 24, 2011, Sweigart pleaded guilty to one count of aggravated unlawful use of a weapon and one count of unlawful possession of cannabis, each a Class 4 felony, charges that were related to this case. Sentencing on those charges was delayed pending the outcome of the trial.

At about 9 p.m. Dec. 26, 2009, the victim, who was 8 years old at the time, his older sister and his mother were at a grocery store in the 1900 block of West Galena Boulevard, Aurora. The victim was sitting alone on a bench near the exit, not far from where his mother and sister were going through the check-out line. Sweigart approached the victim and attempted to lure the victim to his vehicle, telling the victim he had toys at his house that the victim would enjoy playing with. The mother saw Sweigart talking to her son and asked the sister to investigate. As she approached, Sweigart walked away, according to the news release.

A witness followed Sweigart's vehicle and called police. When police responded they found Sweigart's vehicle parked in his driveway. As the officer approached, he smelled burnt marijuana coming from the vehicle. As the officer searched the vehicle – with Sweigart's permission – he found two handguns, one of which was a loaded .357 Magnum, more than 150 rounds ammunition, a large machete, drug paraphernalia, adult-oriented toys, lingerie and children's toys, according to the news release.

The sentenced breaks down as three years in prison for the child abduction conviction, one year in prison on the weapon conviction and six months in the Kane County jail on the marijuana conviction. The sentences are to be served concurrently, and the sentence for the marijuana conviction will be served in IDOC.

Sweigart also must register for 10 years in accordance with the Illinois Murderer and Violent Offender Against Youth Registration Act. According to Illinois law, Sweigart was given day-for-day sentencing. He was given credit for time served in the Kane County jail, where he had been held since his conviction.

Sweigart had faced a possible sentence of probation or between one and six years in IDOC.

The case was prosecuted by Kane County Assistant State's Attorneys Jonathan McKay and Megan Matuska.

"This sentence sends a strong message that those who would prey on the children in our community will be dealt with aggressively and that our courts make a priority of protecting our children. We are thankful this defendant will be spending time behind bars and away from children," Kane County State's Attorney Joe McMahon said.