Man guilty in 2009 child abduction of teen who met man through Christian Youth Theater

Online Staff Report

Donald Trotter, 56, was found guilty Aug. 25 for the offense of three counts of criminal sexual assault, four counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse, one count of child abduction and one count of unlawful sending of a public conveyance travel ticket to a minor after a jury trial in front Judge Joseph McGraw.

Aug. 2, 2009, Rockford City Police Department was informed that a 13-year-old was a runaway. After an investigation, the 13-year-old was found in an apartment in Long Beach, Calif., with the defendant.

The defendant and 13-year-old met in connection with theater productions through Christian Youth Theater (CYT) and Children’s Theater Project/Youth Theater Project (CTP/YTP). From June 1, 2009, to Aug. 1, 2009, the 13-year-old and the defendant engaged in a sexual relationship.

Criminal sexual abuse is a class 1 felony with a sentencing range of four to 15 years each, consecutive to each other, at 85 percent in the Illinois Department of Corrections and lifetime registration.

Aggravated criminal sexual abuse is a class 2 felony with a sentencing range of three to seven years each, concurrent in the Illinois Department of Corrections.

Child abduction is a class 4 felony with a sentencing range of one to three years in the Illinois Department of Corrections.

Unlawful sending of a public conveyance travel ticket to a minor is a class A.

Sentencing is scheduled for 1:30 p.m., Oct. 21, in Courtroom 467 with Judge McGraw.