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Wadsworth Man Gets 26 Years For Abusing Two Boys

WADSWORTH (CBS) -- A north suburban Wadsworth man is going to prison for 26 years for committing a crime he said haunts him

Joseph Wojdyla, 20, was sentenced before Judge George Bridges for sexually abusing two boys. Wojdyla committed multiple sex acts with a 13-year-old boy during a year-and-a-half period in addition to molesting a second 12-year-old boy. Wojdyla also took inappropriate photos of the two boys and stored them in his cellphone.

"I messed up their life and I have to pay for it," Wojdyla tearfully said in court. "I wish I could undo what I have done. I feel remorse for what I have done and I am haunted by what I did."

He pleaded guilty to predatory sexual assault of a child and criminal sexual assault. The charge of manufacture of child pornography was dropped as a result of his plea deal. The plea deal also gave him a sentencing range of 14 to 40 years in prison.

The parents of the victims read statements at the sentencing talking about how the whole family has struggled and suffered since Wojdyla's arrest in September 2009. The two boys are brothers.

"He was like a good friend. At first, the sexual abuse was confusing. I am good at trying not to think about it," the 12-year-old wrote in his statement. "The sentence should be medium to long because he's done this before. When he gets out (of prison), he should be watched."

(Source: Sun-Times Media Wire © Chicago Sun-Times 2010. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

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