Frankfort Man Sentenced to 25 Years For Sexual Assault Of A Child

FRANKFORT, IL — A Frankfort man was sentenced to 25 years in prison for sexual assault of a child, according to a news release from Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul.

Jeremy Coates, 39, was sentenced Wednesday by Livingston County Circuit Court Judge Jennifer H. Bauknecht after pleading guilty to a Class X felony count of predatory criminal sexual assault of a child, according to the release.

Investigators searched Coates' residence after receiving a CyberTip and found evidence of child pornography, according to the release.

Coates was arrested June 24, 2020, on charges of possession of child pornography. The charges against Coates were updated when further investigation uncovered evidence of sexual assault and production of child pornography.

Prosecutors said Coates sexually assaulted a child under the age of 13, and was involved in producing, trading, and possessing child pornography, according to the release.

“This sentencing highlights the importance of the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force in tracking down and prosecuting individuals who assault and exploit children,” Raoul said. “My office will continue to partner with local law enforcement and states attorney’s offices throughout Illinois to ensure justice for victims of exploitation and sexual assault.”

Coates must serve 85 percent of his 25-year sentence, according to the release.