An Elgin man who sexually assaulted and abused a juvenile family member and threatened to harm her mother if she told anyone has been sentenced to 10 years in prison.
Juan Pop-Pana, 26, was convicted by a jury in September 2025 of criminal sexual abuse, aggravated criminal sexual abuse of a child and intimidation, all felony charges.
Prosecutors say that Pop-Pana sexually abused and assaulted the victim multiple times between April 3, 2022, and June 3, 2024, telling her he would harm her mother and she would be kicked out of the house if she disclosed what occurred, according to a news release from the Kane County state’s attorney’s office.
Pop-Pana was sentenced to seven years in prison for criminal sexual assault, three years for aggravated criminal sexual abuse of a child and three years for intimidation, the release said. The last two counts are to be served concurrently to each other but consecutive to the first.
Per state law, Pop-Pana must serve at least 85% of the seven-year sentence and 50% of the three-year sentence. He will receive credit for the 688 days he spent in Kane County jail awaiting trial and sentencing, the release said.
He must also register for life as a sexual offender in accordance with the Illinois Sexual Offender Registration Act.
“The defendant took advantage of his child victim, who was a family member, when she was at her most vulnerable spot, knowing nobody else in the country and not speaking the language. He then threatened her for her silence,” Assistant State’s Attorney Morgan Wilkinson said in a statement.
“Despite his heinous actions, the victim in this case showed her resilience by speaking up for herself and testifying against him. I want to thank the victim for coming forward and testifying against her attacker to make sure that no other child would be a victim of the defendant.”
