Ex-Football Player Gets 16 Years in Rape Case

A former football player at Glenbard West High School was found guilty of raping a teen in 2010

A former football player for Glenbard West High School was sentenced Tuesday to 16 years for raping a teenaged girl in a Rolling Meadows church parking lot in January 2010.

DeMarco Whitley, 19, could have been sentenced to up to 60 years in prison, but he received the mandatory sentence of 16 years.

"It is the minimum in this case, and so based on the fact it was the minimum penalty that could be imposed in this situation, we are pleased it was the minimum," said defense attorney Donna Rotunno, adding that her client was "very remorseful."

State's Attorney Maria McCarthy didn't offer comment after sentencing, but asked the judge for a stiff penalty.

Despite the fact that Whitley had no prior criminal record, he "hit it out of the park," with the sexual assault, she said.

"He knew she didn't want it. He didn't care," said McCarthy.

During a bench trial, which ended last month, Whitley was found guilty of four of five counts of criminal sexual assault. The judge in the case said, "There's no doubt in my mind sex occurred, and no doubt in my mind it occurred the way the victim said it did."

Shortly after the sexual assault on Jan. 29, 2010, Whitley was involved in a car crash that killed his friend and fellow football player Pierre Washington-Steel, who was also accused of participating in the sex assault.

Whitley pleaded not guilty. He testified that sex did take place but that it was consensual.

Contact Us