‘Locked behind bars for a very long time’: Aurora man handed 109-year prison sentence for dozens of child sex crimes

AURORA, Ill. — An Aurora man accused of dozens of child sex crimes, including sexual abuse and manufacturing child pornography, was handed a nearly 110-year prison sentence this week.

54-year-old Ronald Lye, an Aurora resident, was sentenced to 109 years of imprisonment in the Illinois Department of Corrections this week, Kane County State’s Attorney Jamie Mosser announced Tuesday.

Prosecutors did not provide details on any specific incidents he was involved in but said he had been found guilty of several felony offenses back in January, including 14 counts of manufacturing child pornography, 18 counts of possessing child pornography and 12 counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse.

“This sentence will not make the victim whole, but ensures Ronald J. Lye will be locked behind bars for a very long time and he will be unable to prey on children,” Kane County Assistant State’s Attorney Morgan Wilkinson said.

Lye’s sentence was handed down by Judge David Kliment and prosecutors said he must serve at least 50% of the sentence.

In addition to the century-long sentence, Lye must also register for life as a sexual offender.