David Iwaniw, a previous Charleston Police Officer who was on the run for seven and a half years before being apprehended in January, has accepted a plea deal involving his three original felony charges before failing to show in court in July 2014.

Iwaniw’s original charges were for allegedly committing criminal sexual assault with a victim from the age of 13 to 17 years old, criminal sexual assault with the use of force, and child pornography. All three counts are Class 1 Felonies Iwaniw allegedly committed in February 2013.

After being apprehended in January this year from being on the run since July 2014, Iwaniw was brought back to Coles County to continue the court process for the three Class 1 Felonies with the add-on for a Class 2 Felony for violation of bail bond of a Class 1 offense.

On Friday, Iwaniw accepted a plea deal to dismiss the three counts of Class 1 Felonies and plead guilty to the charge of official misconduct/forbidden act, a Class 3 Felony.

Originally, Iwaniw was set to start a bench trial Monday morning at 9 a.m. for the three Class 1 Felonies.

For Class 1 Felonies in Illinois, on average if found guilty the sentencing ranges from four to 15 years in prison, with the possibility of an extended sentence for 15 to 30 years, and two years of mandatory supervision upon release from prison.

The possible sentencing listed applies to each individual Class 1 Felony, not all three.

For Class 3 Felonies in Illinois, the prison sentence is around two to five years, with a possible extension between five and 10 years, and a one year mandatory supervised release.

This follows Iwaniw having previously changed to open plead guilty to the Class 2 Felony of violating bail bond to a Class 1 Felony and wavering his initial request for a jury trial and changed to a bench trial on Sept. 9.

Iwaniw’s sentencing hearing for the Class 2 Felony for violation of bail bond of a Class 1 Felony and for the Class 3 Felony of official misconduct/forbidden act is on Nov. 21 at 2 p.m. in the Coles County Courthouse.

Special Prosecuter Lorinda Lamken as the plaintiff of the case will be presented at the sentencing.

Madelyn Kidd can be reached at 581-2812 or at [email protected].