Princeton man headed to prison for sexual abuse of a child

PRINCETON — A Princeton man will spend the next 16 1/2 years behind bars after pleading guilty to predatory criminal sexual assault of a child.

Jeffery G. Wallgren, 48, pleaded to the Class X felony charge Friday before Bureau County Circuit Judge Marc Bernabei. Had his case gone to trial, Wallgren faced a mandatory sentence of 6-60 years in prison. As part of the guilty plea, a second count of predatory sexual assault was dropped.

Wallgren, who will be credited with 210 days served in Bureau County Jail, will be required to serve a minimum 85% of the sentence, meaning with good behavior he will serve at least 14 years.

In May 2020, authorities charged Wallgren after a domestic dispute at his residence. At that time, two children under 13 years old disclosed to a social worker with the Princeton Police Department that Wallgren had been sexually abusing them for a period of years beginning when each was 8-9 years old.

A third woman, now an adult, and formerly a stepchild of Wallgren also came forward with an allegation of abuse after reading about Wallgren’s arrest in the newspaper.

Bureau County State’s Attorney Geno Caffarini said he believes the sentence is a reasonable disposition, saying it’s a good outcome when the victims don’t have to go through testifying at a trial.

In addition to the custodial sentence, Wallgren will be on probation for three years to life, will be a lifetime registered sex offender and is subject to a civil commitment. Caffarini said if he does not comply with sex offender treatment while incarcerated, authorities can deem him to be a threat if released and therefore require him to remain in custody.

Wallgren was represented by Bureau County First Assistant Public Defender Eric May.