State Representative Jeff Keicher (R-Sycamore) and State Senator Dave Syverson (R-Cherry Valley) are once again condemning Illinois’ dangerous sanctuary policies and the leaders who protect them, including Governor J.B. Pritzker and his Democrat allies, after an illegal alien kidnapped and sexually assaulted a 9-year-old girl in Kane County.
“As a father of three daughters, this is absolutely heartbreaking and infuriating,” Senator Syverson said. “I cannot imagine the pain the family is needlessly going through as a result of this crime that never should have happened. How many more Illinois families must suffer before Democrats end their dangerous sanctuary state policy madness?”
Reports indicate, Janio Gionel Velasquez-Muro pursued the 9-year-old girl while she was riding her bike in Pingree Grove on June 30, forced her into a vehicle, and sexually assaulted her before fleeing. Thanks to the quick response and professional work of the Hampshire and Pingree Grove police departments, which included the use of license plate readers and surveillance footage to track the perpetrator, he was quickly apprehended and now faces charges including aggravated kidnapping of a child, predatory criminal sexual assault, aggravated criminal sexual abuse, and sexual exploitation of a child.
“When I first heard of this horrific case, it brought back memories of my cousin’s abuse as a child and seeing firsthand the impact that something so horrible has on a child,” said Representative Keicher. “I am deeply saddened for this young girl that our laws allowed this scumbag to be in our communities in the first place. This is why the state of Illinois needs to prioritize safety over the protection of failed progressive policies that continue to put vulnerable people at risk.”
According to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) lodged a detainer requesting that Governor J.B. Pritzker and Illinois sanctuary politicians not release Velasquez-Muro from jail.
“I’m frustrated that Illinois law hid the suspect’s immigration status but thankful that DHS was willing to release this information,” Senator Syverson said. “Our families deserve full transparency, not cover-ups. I’m urging prosecutors to hit him with the strongest charges possible and make sure this animal never sees the streets again.”
This horror in Pingree Grove comes just months after two other shocking crimes by illegal Venezuelan nationals. In June, ICE arrested Giovanna Mercedes Moreno Occhipinti for her role in a Tren de Aragua mass shooting at a Chicago house party that killed three people. And in March, ICE lodged a detainer for Jose Medina-Medina after he shot and killed 18-year-old Loyola student Sheridan Gorman in Chicago.
Authorities are continuing to investigate this case. Anyone with additional information about this case, or any other incidents involving Janio Gionel Velasquez-Muro, is encouraged to contact the Kane County State’s Attorney’s Office at (630) 845-3780.