181-Year Prison Sentence Ordered For Sexual Predator

KANE COUNTY, IL -- A Sugar Grove man convicted twice of predatory child sex offenses has been sentenced to 181 years in prison. Kane County court officials say the prison term ordered for Noel Buhay, 51, on Friday is one of the lengthiest handed down in a Kane County courtroom. Buhay, of the 1100 block of Dorr Drive in Sugar Grove, was convicted on eight counts of predatory criminal sexual assault of a child, a Class X felony, and one count of aggravated criminal sexual abuse, a Class 2 felony.

Prosecutors say those recent charges stem from allegations Buhay sexually abused a child younger than 13 years old between December 2005 and December 2008. Buhay is currently serving a 45-year sentence for a March 2017 conviction of predatory criminal sexual assault of a child.

In that case, Buhay sexually assaulted a foster child who was living with his family between January and May 2004, authorities say.

The 181-prison sentence will be served consecutive to the 45-year sentence, according to a news release from the Kane County State's Attorney's Office. Buhay faced a minimum sentence of 51 year in prison in the recent sex assault case.

Buhay must register for life as a sexual offender in accordance with the Illinois Sexual Offender Registration Act.

“This offender is a child predator who cannot be trusted with children. I am proud of both of these victims for coming forward and telling their stories to prevent Mr. Buhay from harming any more children, and for trusting the criminal justice system to work for them and for all victims of child predators,” Kane County State’s Attorney Joe McMahon said.

The Kane County Child Advocacy Center investigated the case.

PHOTO VIA KANE COUNTY STATE'S ATTORNEY'S OFFICE