After crying on the stand and asking his victim for forgiveness, a 38-year-old Wonder Lake man was sentenced Wednesday to seven years in prison for beating and sexually assaulting a woman he knew.
Bohdan Ostryzniuk pleaded guilty in November to felony criminal sexual assault and an amended criminal misdemeanor charge of domestic battery.
On the battery charge he was sentenced to 364 days in jail but will get credit for time served since his arrest on Nov. 17, 2016, therefore completing that sentence. When released he must register as a sex offender and will be on mandatory supervised release.
“I’m deeply ashamed of my actions,” Ostryzniuk said to his victim, who was sitting in the gallery. “I’m so sorry. … You didn’t deserve this.”
Ostryzniuk said his violent actions were due to his alcoholism and that he is seeking help in prison for alcohol abuse and anger issues.
Prosecutors said Ostryzniuk beat the woman in front of a child and told the child it was OK for him to hit her.
Assistant State’s Attorney Randi Freese called Ostryzniuk’s actions “horrifying and disgusting.”
In court, a letter written by the victim was read, in which she described him as “an extremely dangerous criminal.” She said she has suffered post-traumatic stress disorder since the attack, and that she and the child have been in therapy.
Ostryzniuk’s attorney, Assistant Public Defender Angelo Mourelatos, said Ostryzniuk had a troubled childhood and is now in Bible study and therapy and “he wants to become a better person.”
Amanda Marrazzo is a freelance reporter.
