Bolingbrook man guilty of sexually abusing child

April 24

JOLIET – Will County State’s Attorney James Glasgow announced that a Bolingbrook man was found guilty on Friday of molesting a child who was visiting his home in December 2007.

A jury deliberated for one hour before finding Sylwester Gawlak, 42, of 9 Hidden Valley Court, guilty of two counts of predatory criminal sexual assault and one count of aggravated criminal sexual abuse. He faces up to 67 years in prison when he is sentence by Circuit Judge Daniel Rozak on July 16.

Gawlak sexually abused the girl, who was under 13, on Dec. 7, 2007 in his home. Prosecutors James Long and Dant Foulk entered into evidence a letter from the Will County Jail in which Gawlak expressed embarrassment over the allegations and urged a family member to send the victim out of the country to avoid testifying against him. The defendant also acknowledged to Bolingbrook investigators who interviewed him that he had hugged and kissed the young victim while he was naked.

“Sylvester Gawlak is a dangerous predator who will be removed from our community for a long time thanks to a first-rate investigation by Bolingbrook detectives and excellent trial work by two skilled prosecutors,” State’s Attorney Glasgow said. “A great deal of credit also goes to the Kendall County Children’s Advocacy Center, whose videotaped interview with the young victim helped convince jurors of Gawlak’s guilt.”