A Ste Marie man pled guilty to Aggravated Criminal Sexual Abuse in Jasper County Court on Thursday.
According to a report from the Jasper County State’s Attorney, 68 year old, Eugene C Ochs entered an open guilty plea on Thursday. There is no set sentence with the open guilty plea and Ochs is subject to the maximum penalty, three to seven years in the Illinois Department of Corrections. Ochs is set to appear in court on November 21st at 1:00pm for a sentencing hearing. At the hearing, both the defense and prosecution will present evidence for their sentencing recommendations.
Additionally, Ochs will have to register as a Sex Offender for the remainder of his life no matter what his sentencing is. Prior to his sentencing hearing in November, Ochs remains free on bond with the special conditions that he has no contact with the victim, their parents/guardians, and no contact with any child under 18 years old.