An Illinois man, aged 58, has been sentenced to 44 years in prison for committing sexual offenses against his step-granddaughter last year in Taylorville, according to WCIA.

On Friday, Bradley C. Rost appeared in Christian County court to plead in his case. He faced 24 counts, including predatory criminal sexual assault and criminal sexual abuse.

As part of the deal he reached with prosecutors, Rost pleaded guilty to seven of the counts.

Christian County State’s Attorney John McWard explained that the victim’s mother noticed unusual behavior between Rost and his step-granddaughter, as they all resided in the same house. This prompted the Taylorville Police Department to launch an investigation on the evening of May 21, 2024, resulting in Rost’s arrest shortly after.

McWard noted that the charges were determined by the significant age difference between Rost and the step-granddaughter, who was under 13 years old at the time.

Previously, Rost was convicted in 1998 for a similar crime, for which he was sentenced to 17 years in prison. If he had gone to trial and been found guilty this time, he would have faced a mandatory life sentence.

Initially, Rost faced a potential sentence ranging from 6 to 30 years. However, considering his past conviction and negotiations led by the Christian County State’s Attorney, his sentence was extended to 44 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections. The sentence details are specified as follows:

• 7 years for counts 18-22
• 6 years for count 23
• 3 years for count 24
• Total: 44 years in IDOC

It is mandatory that all of these sentences be served consecutively. He was initially assessed $15,314 in fines and fees, but all of that has been waived for time already served. Before the conviction, Rost had been in custody for 477 days, meaning he received credit for $30 a day towards fines and fees.

Additionally, to preserve the emotional health and welfare of the minor, McWard said negotiations allowed the minor to not take the stand and testify.

“Hats off to the Taylorville Police Department detectives as well as Nicole Kroncke from the Illinois Appellate Prosecutor’s Office,” McWard said.