Chicago – Attorney General Kwame Raoul today announced that a DeKalb County man was sentenced to 25 years in prison after pleading guilty to kidnapping related to the sexual assault of a 13-year-old family member who has severe developmental disabilities.
The Attorney General’s office, along with DeKalb County State’s Attorney Riley Oncken, prosecuted Franklin E. Tooley, 19, of Somonauk, Illinois. Tooley pleaded guilty in DeKalb County Circuit Court to one count of aggravated kidnapping related to efforts Tooley took to conceal the assault. DeKalb County Circuit Court Judge Marcy L. Buick sentenced Tooley to 25 years in prison, of which he must serve 85%.
“This guilty plea and sentence represents a measure of justice for the innocent victim and their family after the defendant violated their trust in the most unthinkable way possible, and I hope this result aids their efforts to heal,” Raoul said. “I am committed to continued partnerships with local law enforcement agencies and prosecutors that help hold perpetrators accountable, prevent others from potentially becoming victims, and supporting survivors and their families on their paths to healing.”
According to Raoul, Tooley was arrested by the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office in March 2023 after an investigation revealed he sexually assaulted a 13-year-old family member between January and February 2023. Tooley also disabled video cameras the family had installed to monitor the victim.
Raoul prosecuted the case with the DeKalb County State’s Attorney Riley Oncken’s Office.
“Our office is thankful for the assistance of the Attorney General’s Office in ensuring that that we were able to get justice for the minor victim in this family,” said DeKalb County State’s Attorney Riley N. Oncken. “Those who prey on the young, disabled, or other vulnerable victims deserve to be incarcerated where they cannot commit further harm to families and our community. Thanks to the fine work of our law enforcement and prosecutors, this defendant will spend many years in prison for his actions.”
Attorney General Raoul is reminding the public that child sexual exploitation can be reported online at cybertipline.com and child abuse at dcfsonlinereporting.dcfs.illinois.gov. In addition, local child advocacy centers can be found at childrensadvocacycentersofillinois.org.
Assistant Attorney General Jonathan McKay prosecuted the case for Raoul’s Criminal Prosecutions and Trials Assistance Bureau, and Assistant DeKalb County State’s Attorney Brooks Locke handled the case for Oncken’s office.
