Man who sexually abused stepdaughter over 4-year span sentenced to 101 years in prison

SYCAMORE – In all likelihood, Richard Janusz will never again breathe as a free man.

On Thursday, Judge Philip Montgomery sentenced Janusz, 50, formerly of the 500 block of Nathan Lattin Lane, to 101 years in prison. Janusz was sentenced to 77 years in prison for 11 counts of criminal sexual assault and another 24 years for child pornography offenses. He must serve 85 percent of those 77 years (which comes out to about 65 years), according to court records.

“This is a comfort for the victim’s family and the safety of the community,” said Holly Peifer, director of Family Service Agency’s Children’s Advocacy Center.

If Janusz is released, he’ll be on parole for at least three years.

Janusz sexually assaulted his stepdaughter many times between 2010 and 2014 and took lewd pictures of the child, who was younger than 13.

DeKalb County State’s Attorney Rick Amato commended Assistant State’s Attorney Alicia Caplan in a news release for her work on the case.

Janusz has been credited with more than four years served in the DeKalb County Jail.

Peifer said such a sentencing could send a message to victims hesitant about disclosing abuse.

“It’s hard to come forward, especially for a child,” Peifer said. “There are all sorts of reasons for them to not come forward: fear and self-blame. But a sentence like this speaks volumes as to how seriously the state’s attorney’s office, law enforcement and local agencies take situations like this.”