Fulton man gets probation, jail time for sexually assaulting 14-year-old girl

MORRISON – A Fulton man will serve some jail time and be on probation for 2½ years for sexually assaulting an underage girl.

Trace R. DeVault, 23, was charged Jan. 7, 2020 and sentenced Wednesday to criminal sexual abuse using force, which carried a potential sentence of 1 to 3 years in prison.

One count of criminal sexual assault, punishable by 4 to 15 years, and two counts of misdemeanor sexual abuse were dismissed as part of his plea agreement.

In addition to probation, he must serve 180 days in Whiteside County jail, starting April 22, with no day-for-day credit, followed by 18 months of periodic imprisonment.

DeVault also must undergo sex offender treatment and register as a sex offender.

The assault occurred between May and June 2017, when DeVault was 18 and the girl was 14.