A Kankakee Catholic priest has been sentenced to 18-years in prison for the sexual assault of a disabled man. The case evolves from a 2017 incident whereby the 70-year-old Reverend Richard Jacklin assaulted a 39-year-old victim, who’s been a resident of the Shapiro Mental Health Center in Kankakee. The sentencing comes after Jacklin was convicted at trial.

State’s Attorney Jim Rowe said in a press release, Jacklin used his role in the clergy to take advantage of a man who had the mental capacity of a six-year-old. Rowe calls the verdict and sentence a victory for all survivors of clergy abuse and all sexual assaults. (Rowe also added, the abuse took place at a place where this victim should have felt most-protected.

The Rev. Jacklin had earlier served the clergy at St. Rose of Lima in Kankakee and Sacred Heart Church in Goodrich.

94.1 WGFA