Sex offender agrees to remain behind bars until trial

A convicted sex offender who said he would rape and possibly kill a child if released from prison made it a little easier Tuesday for authorities to keep him behind bars, perhaps for the rest of his life.

Christopher J. Tatara, formerly of McHenry, agreed in court Tuesday to bypass a probable cause hearing to determine whether state lawyers have enough evidence to proceed with claims he is a sexually violent person.

His decision to skip the hearing moves his case to a trial at which authorities will try to prove that Tatara is too dangerous to be let out of prison. If a judge or jury agrees, Tatara would be incarcerated indefinitely.

Tatara, 26, was scheduled to go free Feb. 17 after serving an 8-year prison term on charges he sexually assaulted two minor girls. One of the girls, court records show, became pregnant at 12 years old as a result of the abuse.

The Illinois Attorney General moved last week to block his release by filing a petition asking a McHenry County judge to declare Tatara a sexually violent person. If they succeed, state law would allow the Illinois Department of Human Services to keep Tatara locked up while undergoing sex offender treatment until doctors and a judge agree he no longer is a threat.

Along with the petition, state lawyers filed a report last week that portrays Tatara as a frightening child sex offender who claims to have molested as many as 58 victims. The report states he told a psychologist he is certain he would assault another child if released, and probably would kill his next victim to avoid going back to prison.

His court-appointed attorney, Senior Assistant McHenry County Public Defender Richard Behof, said Tatara opted to waive a probable cause hearing after discussing the report's findings.

"With the low burden (of proof) the state has, he decided to be held right now," Behof said.

Tatara is scheduled to return to court March 27 for a pretrial status hearing.