Man Gets Life in Prison for Abducting, Assaulting Student

An Illinois man has been sentenced to life in prison without parole for kidnapping and raping a Southeast Missouri State University student last May.

The Southeast Missourian reports that 44-year-old Jeffrey Lazier of Yorkville, Illinois, pleaded guilty Monday to first-degree sodomy.

Lazier forced a 22-year-old student into his pickup truck at knifepoint on May 12. Authorities say the woman was held for more than six hours as Lazier drove into Illinois, repeatedly assaulting her and forcing her to try and get money from banks.

The woman jumped from the car at an off-ramp on Interstate 57 near Effingham, Illinois, and ran for help.

Lazier received a 35-year federal sentence for kidnapping in December.