Lake County extradites Texas man on child sex abuse charges
A Texas man accused of sexually abusing three children while vacationing at Illinois Beach State Park and the Chain O' Lakes is held at the Lake County jail awaiting a bond hearing.
James Michael Casey, 59, of Edcouch, Texas, was arrested in Hidalgo County, Texas, near the Mexican border on a Lake County warrant. Casey fought extradition for nearly two months before finally waiving his right Nov. 15. He was picked up Wednesday by Lake County sheriff's police.
Lake County sheriff's investigators interviewed Casey and obtained a confession, Detective Michael Keller said Friday.
Keller said he could not reveal details of Casey's confession, as the case is still under investigation.
Since mid-August, Lake County Sheriff's investigators have been working with officials in Dakota County, Minn., and Pasquotank, N.C., to build the case
Casey knew the children and their families, and investigators believe the abuse occurred during various vacations dating June 2006. The most recent attacks are believed to have occurred over two weeks in July.
The children range in age from 5 to 9. Two live in North Carolina and another lives in Minnesota. They told their parents about the abuse, and authorities were contacted in their respective states.
Casey is charged with five counts of predatory criminal sexual assault of a child, a Class X felony, and eight counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse, a Class 2 felony.
If convicted, Casey could face six to 30 years for each Class X felony and three to seven years for each Class 2 felony.
Police are asking anyone with information about the investigation or Casey to call Keller at (847) 377-4250.
"We are reinvigorating the case in case there is something out there that we need to be aware of," Lake County sheriff's police Sgt. Chris Thompson said. "We certainly do not want any victims out there that haven't been able to say their piece in this."
Casey is held on a $2 million bond awaiting a Dec. 27 hearing at the Waukegan courthouse.