McHenry man charged with sex abuse

A McHenry man was arrested Friday on charges of providing alcohol to two juveniles before engaging in sex with one of them, authorities said.

Bernardo Ramirez-Barron, 28, of the 4200 block of Hay Street, has been charged with two counts of felony aggravated criminal sexual abuse, and two counts of contributing to the delinquency of a juvenile, a Class A misdemeanor, after the McHenry County Sheriff's office was contacted early Friday morning by emergency room staff at Centegra Hospital McHenry, authorities said.

Hospital staff reported that two juveniles were being treated for alcohol intoxication and allegations of sexual abuse, according to the sheriff's office. The victims later told sheriff's deputies that Ramirez-Barron had provided them with alcohol, authorities said.

Members of the McHenry County Criminal Investigations Bureau found Ramirez-Barron at his home. During questioning, he admitted to being involved in sexual relationship with one of the victims for several months, and to conducting a sexual act earlier in the day with the second victim, authorities said.

Ramirez-Barron was being held on $50,000 bond in McHenry County Jail, officials said. His next court appearance is scheduled for Aug. 25.