CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) — Waukegan police on Tuesday arrested and charged a 57-year-old man with criminal sexual assault against a minor relative.
Richard Villanueva, who lives in Waukegan and works as a school bus driver, was brought in for questioning after the victim, who is now an adult, contacted the Waukegan Police Department on Aug. 24. The victim shared with authorities details about repeated occasions of sexual assault over a period of several years when the victim was still a child.
Lake County State’s Attorney Eric Rinehart applauded the work of the Waukegan Police Department's Investigations Unit and his Assistant State's Attorney’s.
"Nothing is more important than the safety of our children. I want to thank the Waukegan Police Department for their effective investigation and our ASAs who reviewed this case in the Sex Crimes Unit. Our prosecutors and victim advocates will ensure that the victims in this case get all the support that they need and that the defendant faces justice for his actions,” Rinehart said in a release.
A Lake County judge set Villanueva’s bond at $750,000 and he is scheduled to appear in court again on Sept. 21.
The Lake County State's Attorney’s Office asked any parent of a student that may have encountered the defendant is encouraged to speak with their child.
Anyone with information regarding this investigation should contact the Waukegan Police Department Investigations Unit at 847-360-9000.
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