Racine Man Who Sexually Assaulted Young Girl Sentenced to 15 Years in Prison

RACINE -- A 20-year-old Racine man was recently sentenced to 15 years in prison with 10 years of extended supervision for repeatedly sexually assaulting a nine-year-old girl when he was 16-year-old.

The Racine County Eye reports that Thomas Eickner pleaded guilty in Racine County Circuit Court without acknowledging responsibility to a single felony count of repeated sexual assault of a child. While the maximum sentence would carry up to 60 years in jail, the state recommended 13 to 16 years, while the defense asked for two years. The judge decided on 15 years with the 10 years extended supervision due to the defendant's inability to seek treatment or admit responsibility.

In a short statement in court, Eickner admitted he needs help but denies sexually assaulting the girl. A doctor who examined Eickner feels he is a low risk for recidivism, which was countered by the state's attorney, who pointed out that Eickner has not received treatment.

The victim did not report the assaults at the time because she didn't understand what happened. It wasn't until she recently saw Eickner, a family friend whom she looked up to as a big brother, again for the first time in a long time that she feared him and reported the assaults.