Ottawa man gets 10 years for sexual assault

An Ottawa man pleaded guilty Friday to sexually assaulting a child in front of another child and was sentenced to 10 years in prison.

Andrew J. Brookman, 25, also listed as a resident of Willow Spring, Missouri, pleaded guilty in La Salle County Circuit Court to one count of predatory criminal sexual assault of a child, a Class X felony carrying a six-year minimum. A second count was dismissed, which enabled Brookman to avoid back-to-back sentences totaling up to 60 years.

Brookman is, however, required to serve 85% of his sentence. With 5½ months credit for time served, he could be released in about eight years.

Brookman was charged after an investigation into a July incident in Seneca. The investigation concluded that Brookman sexually assaulted a child younger than 10. The girl’s testimony was consistent with that of another child who was in the same room.

Brookman declined an opportunity to address the judge before sentencing.