A Galesburg man has been sentenced to 35 years in prison for restraining, sexually assaulting, and attempting to kill a juvenile by setting a fire in a residence last summer.
Jason Dean Fielder, 47, was sentenced Thursday by Ninth Circuit Judge Andrew Doyle in Knox County Circuit Court following a jury trial in April that convicted him on multiple felony charges stemming from the violent incident.
The defendant received 15 years for Attempted First Degree Murder (Count I), 15 years for Aggravated Arson (Count II), and 3 years for Unlawful Restraint (Count IV), with these sentences to run concurrently. Additionally, he was sentenced to 20 years for Aggravated Criminal Sexual Assault (Count III), to be served consecutively, resulting in a total of 35 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections, of which he must serve 85%.
The crimes occurred on Aug. 15, 2024, when Fielder allegedly entered the home of his former girlfriend, where the 16-year-old victim—her daughter—was alone. According to evidence presented, Fielder used zip ties to restrain the victim, sexually assaulted her, and then tied her to a wooden beam in the basement before setting a fire in the kitchen, intending to kill her.
In a statement to WGIL, Knox County State’s Attorney Ashley Worby said, “This sentence reflects the gravity of the defendant’s actions and the lifelong trauma inflicted on a vulnerable child.
“I commend the victim for their courage, and I am grateful to the Galesburg Police Department officers and investigators, as well as my support staff who worked tirelessly to assist me in bringing justice to the victim and their family.”
The conviction in April followed a trial where six expert witnesses, including forensic scientists, a fire investigator, and sexual assault nurse examiners, supported the prosecution’s case.
