On April 30, 2025, Alexander Sims (DOB: 11/22/2004), previously of Tilton, Illinois, pleaded 
guilty to Predatory Sexual Assault of a Child, a class X felony. Sims was sentenced to 18 years in 
the Illinois Department of Corrections, which will be served at 85%. Following his term of 
imprisonment, Sims will serve mandatory supervised release for a term of 3 years to natural life 
and is required to register as a sex offender for life. Judge Mark S. Goodwin presided over the 
plea and sentencing. 
The People presented evidence that on August 18, 2023, Tilton Police responded to a call in 
which a minor female reported she had been raped by Alexander Sims between the dates of 
November 2021 and July 2023 while the victim was under the age of 13. Sims was interviewed 
by police and confessed to sexual penetration of the minor.  
State’s Attorney Jacqueline Lacy said, “I would like to thank the Tilton Police Department and 
the Vermilion County Child Advocacy Center for their efforts to bring justice for the victim in 
this case. The horrendous actions of this sexual predator were deeply harmful. It is my hope that 
the victim can begin the path toward recovery now that the criminal case has concluded. We are 
grateful for the strength and courage it took for this victim to come forward, and for the 
perseverance and cooperation throughout the court process. This sentence and lifetime sex 
offender registration reflect the seriousness of these crimes and should serve to protect our 
community.”