Man Sentenced 22 Years for Rape Near Ravinia Station

On Thursday Eduardo Franco was sentenced to 22 years in prison for raping a woman near the Ravinia Metra station, Triblocal reports. The incident happened on the Green Bay Trail in Highland Park two years ago.

Dubbed the "Ravinia rapist" by prosecutors, Franco pled guilty in May to raping a woman as she got off the Metra train on July 15, 2009. The 32-year-old North Shore woman was attacked from behind while walking north on the Green Bay Trail, according to Triblocal.

“I’ve noticed I’ve withdrawn from my friends and society,” the website reports the victim stating in court on Thursday. “For a long time I couldn’t sleep at night, which caused me to drink excessively. I have panic attacks at least five times a week.”

Franco avoided a possible 90-year prison sentence by pleading guilty. 

“I want to apologize to the victim and her family,” Franco said just before receiving his sentence. “You may think I am a bad person, but I am not. I was very drunk. I had four 44 ounces that night.”

Read Triblocal's entire story by clicking here.