Vermilion County Judge Mark Goodwin sentenced a former Hoopeston resident to 15 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections for a 2023 home invasion in Rossville.  34-year-old Dwight Rowe pleaded guilty to the home invasion case on October 11, 2023. Rowe will also serve 18 months of supervised release for the Class X felony.

Vermilion County State's Attorney Jacqueline Lacy said the victim had previously obtained an Order of Protection against Rowe, prohibiting him from having contact with her.

The state’s attorney office records indicated the victim reported to police that she was working from home, when the defendant entered her bedroom and attempted to initiate a sexual encounter. When the victim rejected the defendant and tried to get away, the defendant became violent, grabbed the victim about her body, and punched her in the face. The defendant strangled the victim until she lost consciousness. The victim suffered from physical injuries.

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