Chicago man guilty of kidnapping, sexually assaulting Mundelein girl
A Lake County judge found a Chicago man guilty of kidnapping a 3-year-old Mundelein girl, filming himself sexually assaulting her in his vehicle, then dropping her off in a nearby parking lot "literally covered in evidence of the assault he committed."
Judge Mark Levitt said the "overwhelming" evidence proved Jose Reyes, 31, tried to "lure the victim to his car using candy" before abducting and filming the assault on his cellphone.
"We are extremely pleased with the judge's decision," Assistant State's Attorney Eric Kalata said after the ruling. Assistant State's Attorney Fred Day also praised Mundelein police and other investigators for discovering the evidence that enabled them to close the case.
Reyes faces up to 120 years in prison on charges of aggravated kidnapping, kidnapping, predatory criminal sexual assault, production of child pornography, and possession of child pornography in the case.
Authorities said Reyes approached the child and her 9-year-old sister near the entrance of the Deepwoods Apartment Complex on the 500 block of Deepwoods Drive on Sept. 30, 2013, and offered the girls lollipops.
After they refused the candy, Reyes left and drove around the complex. He returned and grabbed the younger girl, buckled her in the front seat and drove off while her sister screamed for help, authorities said.
The child was molested in the car by Reyes, who then dropped her off in a nearby parking lot about a half-hour later, authorities said. A woman heard the girl crying and walked her to her parents.
The victim was taken to a hospital, where the offender's DNA was obtained, authorities said.
Police investigating the case used video from nearby cameras showing the girl being dropped off to identify the vehicle. Authorities tracked down Reyes using data from the Illinois Department of Motor Vehicles and traffic tickets issued in Mundelein.
Reyes was arrested at his Libertyville place of employment about four days later, authorities said. Search warrants were used to obtain evidence, including cellphone video and pictures of the sexual assault, DNA tests, GPS routes stored in the vehicle, and the discovery of the same candy in the car used in the attempt to lure the girls.
Levitt revoked Reyes' $5 million bond, and set a Dec. 2 court date. A sentencing date will be set at that hearing, Levitt said.