April 8, 2026 — Jo Daviess County, Illinois

A Jo Daviess County man has been sentenced to the Illinois Department of Corrections after entering guilty pleas to two felony counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse.

According to the Jo Daviess County State’s Attorney’s Office, Duane S. Potter, 68, of Elizabeth, appeared in Jo Daviess County Circuit Court on Wednesday and pled guilty to one Class 1 felony count and one Class 2 felony count of aggravated criminal sexual abuse.

Judge John Hay accepted the plea and imposed consecutive prison terms of 10 years and 7 years. Under Illinois law, Potter will also be required to register as a sex offender for life upon his release.

The case was investigated by the Jo Daviess County Sheriff’s Office with support from the State’s Attorney’s Office, whose coordinated efforts led to the charges and subsequent conviction.