Overview
Brett W. Merritt, a Mendota funeral director, pleaded guilty to three felony charges related to aggravated criminal sexual abuse and possession of child sexual abuse images, and now faces up to seven years in prison.
Charges and Plea
- Merritt pled guilty to two counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse (Class 2 felony) and one count of possession of images of child sexual abuse (Class 3 felony).
- The plea was entered as a blind plea, meaning no agreement on sentencing length was made.
- One additional count of possession of child sexual abuse images was dismissed as part of the plea agreement.
- All charges carry the possibility of probation.
Case Background
- The offenses stem from Merritt's prolonged sexual relationship with a girl he met when she was 13, with the relationship turning sexual when she was 14.
- Merritt was 49 years old at the time the sexual relationship began in 2017.
- Prosecutors indicated they would have called the now-adult victim to testify if the case went to trial.
Investigation Details
- Law enforcement executed a search warrant and seized sexually explicit messages and images from Merritt’s computers and phones.
- The criminal case followed a six-month investigation by Mendota police, with assistance from county and state authorities.
- The charges survived a review of the statute of limitations and were permitted to proceed in court.
Sentencing and Legal Process
- Merritt appeared in La Salle County Circuit Court to enter his plea.
- Sentencing is scheduled for August 1, and he will be allowed to address the judge at that time.
- The court has discretion on sentencing, with no limits agreed upon in advance.
Key Dates / Deadlines
- Sentencing hearing scheduled for August 1.