Convicted sex offender given 15 years in prison for child molestation in Normal

Posted on October 23, 2017

*McLean County Judge Robert Freitag sentenced Courtney Rockwell to 15 years in prison today. (Photo courtesy McLean County Jail)*

By Howard Packowitz

BLOOMINGTON – A man who admits he molested a child in Normal last year was sentenced today to 15 years in prison.

Courtney Rockwell, 27, of Gibson City pleaded guilty in August to predatory criminal sexual assault of a child who’s younger than 13.

McLean County Judge Robert Freitag imposed a sentence that was the same as the prosecution’s recommendation.

Rockwell’s attorney asked for a minimum six year sentence.

Authorities said Rockwell has no prior felony convictions on his record.

Howard Packowitz can be reached at [email protected].

Blogs

Labor Day – Expanding voting rights for all

By Mike Matejka Because of COVID, there is no Labor Day Parade this year. It’s always a great event for our everyday workers to march proudly down the street and enjoys the festive crowd. If there had been a parade, this year’s Labor Day theme was to be “150 years of struggle: your right to vote.” …

Is federal mobilization the answer?

By Mike Matejka As President Donald Trump threatens to send federal marshals into Chicago, over the objections of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, recall another Illinois Governor who protested the incursion of armed federal personnel into the city. Those federal troops, rather than calming, escalated the situation, leading to deaths and violence. Illinois poet Vachel Lindsay…

In these troubled times, to my fellow white Americans

By Mike Matejka Our nation is at a unique watershed in human relations. African-Americans have been killed too many times in the past before George Floyd, but the response to this man’s death is international and all-encompassing. I was a grade-schooler during the Civil Rights 1960s. I watched Birmingham demonstrators hosed and the Selma – Montgomery…

Workers’ Memorial Day – Remember those whose job took their life

Looking around our community, when we say employer, most will respond to State Farm, Country, or Illinois State University. We too often forget those who are building our roads, serving our food, or our public employees. COVID-19 has made us more aware of the risk. Going to work every day for some people means…