A Kewanee man was sentenced to 27 years in prison after he pleaded guilty to one count of criminal sexual assault of a child, who was under 13 years old at the time. The open plea deal included a prison sentence cap of 30 years, and the two remaining charges were dismissed. Judge Colby Hathaway listened to both sides argue a case for their requested sentences for Mr. Woodruff and ultimately sentenced him to 27 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC).
The state requested a sentence of 30 years in IDOC and the defense requested a sentence of 15 years. The statute requires that 85% of the sentence be served. State’s Attorney Runty said that this is not a single lapse in judgment or incident. The state believes that Mr. Woodruff is a predator. The state believes that he “bided his time until the opportunity arose” to take advantage of this child. The state said that he didn’t stop the abuse until he was forced to stop. The state said that if the child hadn’t spoken up, he would still be assaulting her. The state believes a 30-year sentence is appropriate to allow the children he has abused to heal away from his presence and be adults when he is released from prison. They can decide at that time if they want anything to do with him.
Defense Attorney Camp said the defendant’s criminal history “is problematic but not the worst the court has seen.” Mr. Camp said the defendant’s last sexual offense was in the 1990s. He wouldn’t be “laying in wait” for that long because there would’ve been opportunities between then and now. Mr. Camp said the court should take into consideration that Woodruff has gotten mainly traffic citations in the last 15 years. The defense requested a prison sentence of 15 years, which would allow Mr. Woodruff to have a life after he is released.
Ultimately, Judge Hathaway sentenced Christopher Woodruff to 27 years in the IDOC, with credit for time served, followed by three years to life of Mandatory Supervised Release, must register as a sex offender, submit a DNA sample, submit to STD and HIV testing, pay the minimum fine, and pay the required assessment. Mr. Woodruff must appear within 180 days of his release from prison to make payment arrangements.
On February 7, 2023, the Kewanee Police Department received a report of sexual assault to a minor. The child said Woodruff had performed sexual acts against her. The child said Woodruff had touched her and himself numerous times before she turned 11 years old. In March 2023, Christopher Woodruff admitted to touching the child.
Woodruff committed the offenses between November 1, 2019, and February 2023. Christopher Woodruff was originally charged with three (3) counts of Predatory Criminal Sexual Assault/Victim under 13 (Class X Felony).