Benton man sentenced to 44 years for child sexual assault

KBSI FOX23 News at 9 p.m.

BENTON, Ill., (KBSI) – A Benton man has been sentenced to 44 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections after admitting to repeatedly sexually assaulting a child.

Jesse D.R. Skaggs, 36, was sentenced Tuesday at the Franklin County Courthouse by Judge Evan Owens. Several members of the victim’s family and law enforcement officers were present.

According to prosecutors, a family member reported on Feb. 26, 2025, that Skaggs had sexually abused a minor for several years. Benton Police Detective Mark Wilkey led the investigation, during which Skaggs confessed to the abuse. He was arrested March 17 and charged with two counts of predatory criminal sexual assault of a child and four counts of criminal sexual assault.

On June 11, 2025, Skaggs pleaded guilty to four counts of criminal sexual assault, all Class 1 felonies. Owens sentenced him to four consecutive 11-year prison terms, totaling 44 years.

Franklin County State’s Attorney Abby Dinn said Skaggs must serve at least 85% of his sentence. He will also face a mandatory supervised release term of three years to life following his imprisonment.

The case was investigated by the Benton Police Department and the Franklin Williamson Child Advocacy Center and prosecuted by Dinn’s office.