Clayton man pleads guily to sexual abuse charges, sentenced to 15 years in prison

QUINCY — A Clayton man who pled guilty to sexual abuse charges was sentenced Thursday, May 1, in Adams County Circuit Court to 15 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections by Circuit Judge Tad Brenner.

Cody D. Robertson, 25, was facing charges in three cases. He was sentenced to five years in a 2023 case for the offense of aggravated criminal sexual abuse, a Class 2 felony. He was sentenced to five years in 2024 case for the offense of a violation of the Sex Offender Registration Act, a Class 3 felony. He was sentenced to 10 years in a 2025 case for the offense of aggravated criminal sexual abuse, a Class 2 felony. 

The two five-year sentences will run concurrently. Those sentences will run consecutively with the 10-year sentence for a total of 15 years.  Robertson must serve the sentences at the rate of 50 percent under Illinois’ truth in sentencing law.

Two counts of failing to register as a sex offender, two counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse of a victim under the age of 17, one count of a sex offender communicating with a child — all Class 3 or Class 4 felonies — were dismissed as part of plea negotiations. 

Adams County State’s Attorney Todd R. Eyler praised the bravery of the victims in these cases for coming forward, as well as the citizens who came forward earlier this year with information that led to the investigation of Robertson.

“Members of the public observed signs and indicators of sexual abuse and reported this information to the authorities,” Eyler said in a press release. “Sexual abuse is extremely personal, emotionally draining and sometimes life shattering.  Without the bravery of victims speaking out and the community being concerned, offenders such as Cody Robertson not only get away with their crime, but they continue to prey upon others subjecting them to the same physical and emotional effects of sexual abuse.”

Eyler thanked the officers from Quincy Police Department and representatives from the Advocacy Network For Children for their investigations into the criminal sexual abuse, the Adams County Sheriff’s Department for their investigation into the violation of the Sex Offender Registration Act, and Assistant State’s Attorney Laura Keck in securing the convictions and sentences.