Crime & Safety
Kane County, IL Sexual Assault: Man Sentenced to 12 Years
AURORA, IL — A 35 year old suburban Chicago man has been sentenced to 12 years in prison for sexually assaulting a woman at an Aurora hotel after threatening her with a knife. Authorities say a hotel
By Audrey Sloan · 2026-10-17T11:34:20.026Z
AURORA, IL — A 35 year old suburban Chicago man has been sentenced to 12 years in prison for sexually assaulting a woman at an Aurora hotel after threatening her with a knife. Authorities say a hotel employee's quick response to the woman's desperate signal for help played a critical role in bringing police to the scene.
According to the Kane County State's Attorney's Office, Judge Bianca Camargo sentenced Alexi Benitez Jacinto, 35, of Wood Dale, to 12 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections following his conviction on three counts of criminal sexual assault, a Class 1 felony.
The conviction came Oct. 30, 2025, while prosecutors announced the sentencing Friday, Oct. 16, 2026.
Hotel Employee Recognized Victim's Call for Help
The assault occurred Aug. 12, 2022, at a hotel in Aurora, a western Chicago suburb spanning Kane and neighboring counties.
Prosecutors said Benitez Jacinto sexually assaulted a woman he knew after threatening to harm her with a knife if she continued rejecting his advances.
During the incident, a hotel employee noticed the woman signaling for help in the lobby and overheard Benitez Jacinto threatening to beat her.
The employee immediately called 911.
Aurora police officers responded and knocked on the hotel room door. When officers arrived, the woman ran out of the room asking for help.
Phone Evidence Revealed Recording of Assault
Although Benitez Jacinto denied the sexual assault, investigators obtained a search warrant for his cellphone.
According to prosecutors, evidence recovered from the device revealed that he had recorded the incident.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant State's Attorneys Amanda Busljeta and Nicholas Sciarrino.
Prosecutors Praise Victim and Hotel Employee
Assistant State's Attorney Busljeta described sexual assault as a violent and dehumanizing act, praising the victim for signaling for assistance and the hotel employee for immediately contacting authorities.
She also credited Aurora police officers for responding and intervening while the assault was in progress.
Prison Sentence and Registration Requirements
In addition to his 12 year prison sentence, Benitez Jacinto must register as a sex offender under the Illinois Sex Offender Registration Act.
Under Illinois law, he must serve at least 85% of his sentence, subject to applicable sentencing credits.
Prosecutors said he will receive credit for 1,481 days previously served through electronic home monitoring and custody.
The case highlights the importance of recognizing distress signals and contacting emergency services when someone appears to be in immediate danger.