Jury finds Vandalia man guilty of sex crime

A Fayette County jury last Thursday found a Vandalia man guilty of criminal sexual assault.

That jury deliberated a little more than five hours before returning a guilty verdict in the case of Taylor D. Killen, 18.

Killen was charged with the Class 1 felony on March 3 of this year by the office of Fayette County State’s Attorney Stephen Friedel.

The charge alleges that Killen sexually assaulted a female under the age of 17.

The felony offense is punishable by up to 15 years in prison and/or a fine of up to $25,000. Killen’s sentencing hearing has been set for 9 a.m. on Jan. 30.

According to records in the office of Fayette County Circuit Clerk Mary Sue Ruot, Killen pleaded guilty on Dec. 15 to a charge of criminal sexual abuse. That charge is a Class A misdemeanor punishable by up to 364 days in jail and/or a fine of up to $2,500. Probation is a sentencing alternative.

Killen will also be sentenced on that charge on Jan. 30.