Ex-Taco Bell manager denies groping teenage employee

The former manager of an Antioch fast-food restaurant pleaded not guilty Thursday to accusations he groped a female employee in his office, an event authorities say was caught on the business’ security camera.

Adolfo Sanchez, 38, of Trevor, Wis., faces a charge of aggravated criminal sexual abuse stemming from the allegations involving a 17-year-old girl.

Lake County Assistant State’s Attorney Ryan Koehl said Sanchez was the manager of the Taco Bell in the 300 block of Route 173 when the allegations surfaced Aug 19.

The girl called a friend and then Antioch police, Koehl said, who discovered that the activity had been recorded on the video system.

Taco Bell fired Sanchez shortly after his arrest and he is being represented by the Lake County public defender’s office.

Associate Judge Theodore Potkonjak scheduled a trial of the case for Oct. 3 and ordered Sanchez, who is being held on $150,000 bond, to return to court Sept. 22.

Koehl said Sanchez faces up to seven years in prison if convicted, but would also be eligible for probation.