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Keokuk Man Sentenced for Sexual Assault in Macomb

Aaron Zetterlund addressed the court before being sentenced to prison for sexual assault.

A local woman said her life will never be same after being sexually assaulted at a Macomb house party in March, 2013.  Prosecutors say Aaron Zetterlund, 24, assaulted the woman while his friend, Ethan Deyo, recorded it on his cell phone.

The Macomb Police Department retrieved the deleted pictures and videos shortly thereafter.

Deyo took a plea deal with the state that required him to testify against Zetterlund.

Zetterlund was found guilty of felony criminal sexual assault after a four-day trial in April, 2015.

The State of Illinois defines criminal sexual assault as sexual penetration plus 1 of 4 circumstances:

  • Force or threat of force
  • Victim unable to understand nature of act or give knowing consent
  • Victim under 18 years and accused is a family member
  • Victim is at least 13 years but under 18 years and accused was 17 years or over and held position of trust, authority, or supervision in relation to the victim

Before delivering Zetterlund’s sentence on Tuesday, Judge Bill Poncin stated, “I don’t impose consequences on people, they impose consequences on themselves.”  He then sentenced Zetterlund to six years in prison without a chance for parole.
The state had pushed for twelve years in prison.

Zetterlund will be required to register as a sex offender in the state of Illinois after he serves his sentence.

Zetterlund, who had not spoken since the trial began in April, broke his silence Tuesday in court.

He stated that since his arrest 2 years ago, he is now more involved with this church, has become closer to God, and has drastically cut back on the drinking and drug habits that he developed in college.

The victim said in her impact statement that no prison sentence could possibly equate to the pain and humiliation that she will face for the rest of her life.