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Prison Time for Alleged Child Sex Offender
A Galesburg man accused of sexually assaulting a girl who was on her way to school a year ago has admitted to that crime, but charges in a similar case were dropped in exchange for a guilty plea.

Knox County Courthouse records indicate 21-year old Derrick Curtis pleaded guilty Thursday in Knox County Circuit Court to a felony charge of Criminal Sexual Assault.

Curtis allegedly picked up a then-12-year old girl last September while she was walking to school, took her to his Grand Avenue apartment, and forced sexual contact with her, before taking her to school.

That incident wasn't brought to the attention of police until late-February of this year, and he was originally charged with Predatory Criminal Sexual Assault of a Child.

Curtis was later charged with an additional count of sexual assault, after another female came forward following the initial arrest claiming she also was assaulted that same month by Curtis, inside a car parked on Grand Avenue.

That case, and some unrelated charges, were dropped in exchange for the guilty plea.

Curtis was sentenced to five-years in prison as part of the plea deal, with credit for time already served in jail.
10 03 08 by Newsroom
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