Man convicted in sexual assault case in Oswego

A Kendall County jury has convicted a 78-year-old Wheaton man, Gebremedhin Woldekidan, of criminal sexual assault and aggravated criminal sexual abuse in connection with the assault of a 21-year-old Oswego woman in her home in July 2016.

The jury rendered its verdict after a two-day trial May 20 and 21 at the Kendall County Courthouse in Yorkville, according to information provided by the Kendall County State’s Attorney’s Office.

Woldekidan, a refugee from Ethiopia, is scheduled to return to court at 1 p.m. July 30 for a hearing on any post trial motions.

Woldekidan faces 4 to 15 years in prison on the criminal sexual assault charge plus an additional 3 to 7 years in prison on the aggravated criminal sexual abuse charge. Each sentence will be required to be served consecutively under Illinois law.

In a statement, Kendall County State’s Attorney Eric Weis thanked the jury, Oswego police and First Assistant Mark Shlifka and Assistant Frank Gorup who prosecuted the case.

“It is the duty of this office to protect and provide for victims of sexual abuse who suffer not just the physical danger, but the psychological harm that is inflicted upon them,” Weis said.

According to the state’s attorney’s office, the assault occurred at the victim’s residence in July 2016 when Woldekidan was working at the residence as a landscaper.

After the assault, the victim went to the hospital and a sexual assault kit was completed. Traces of semen were found during examination. During an interview with police, Woldekidan denied any type of sexual activity with the victim, knowing the victim or even working as a landscaper at the residence.

DNA analysis from the Illinois State Police later confirmed the semen recovered during the medical examination was a match to Woldekidan, according to the state’s attorneys office.