Charges were reduced in the sexual assault case against a Toulon man in order for him to accept a plea deal on January 17, 2024. Wade A. Serven, 30, pleaded guilty to amended count 1 of criminal sexual abuse. He was originally charged with two counts of criminal sexual assault by force for an assault that occurred in Kewanee between May 12th and 13th, 2023, which are class 1 felonies. On May 13, 2023, the Kewanee Police Department met with a female victim regarding a sexual assault complaint. The victim had dated the defendant four or five years ago, and the relationship did not end well. Serven has periodically attempted to contact the victim since the breakup. Serven began knocking on the victim’s door late in the evening on May 12th. The victim opened her apartment door to a knock around midnight and found the defendant at the door. Wade Serven entered her apartment without permission and claimed he wanted to talk. Serven pushed the victim up against the wall and began touching her. Serven removed their clothes, held the victim down on the floor, and forced himself on her. After his arrest, he confessed to the Kewanee Police Department. Security footage from area cameras showed a person matching the defendant’s description around 11:48 PM.
Judge Terry Patton asked State’s Attorney Runty to clarify why the language changed from the original charge to the amended charge. The original charge said he made penetration by force, which makes the charge a class 1 felony. In the amended charge, it says that while trespassing at a residence, while the victim was present, he put his penis near her vagina while holding her down. State’s Attorney Runty said the language change was made because Wade Serven wouldn’t accept the open plea for a class 1 felony, and Serven verbally confirmed that was the reason for the change. The second count of criminal sexual assault by force is dismissed under the plea deal.
A Sentencing Hearing is scheduled for April 17, 2024, at 11 AM. Wade Serven will be required to register as a sex offender for the rest of his life. Under an open plea deal, the presiding Judge, Judge Patton in this case, will use the facts from the case, the pre-sentencing investigation report, and the sex offender evaluation report to determine a sentence he deems appropriate. Prison is not mandatory under the reduced charge.
Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN) is the nation’s largest anti-sexual violence organization. According to RAINN, 33% of sexual assaults are committed by a current or former spouse, boyfriend or girlfriend.
