84-year-old Barrington man charged with sexual abuse

An 84-year-old Barrington-area man faces criminal charges for inappropriately touching a 14-year-old girl who was caring for his ponies, Lake County Sheriff police announced Friday.

George R. Todd, of 28000 block of Roberts Road, unincorporated Lake County, was charged with one count of criminal sexual assault and two counts of criminal sexual abuse following his arrest at home Thursday, said Sgt. Christopher Thompson, a sheriff's office spokesman.

The sexual assault charge is a class 1 felony, while the two abuse charges are class 2 felonies. If found guilty, Todd could spend up to 58 years behind bars.

Thompson said the investigation began a week ago when the victim told police Todd had inappropriately touched her while she was caring for his ponies at his residence. Todd is co-owner of Todd's Ponies and Hay Rides in Garden Prairie in Boone County, Thompson said.

The teen said the assault and abuse began in June and continued through August, Thompson said. The victim is not related to Todd.

Thompson said police believe Todd may have abused other teens due to the many locations where he has lived, and the nature of his business. He has been linked to residences in Galena, Garden Prairie and Island Lake in Illinois, and Palmetto, Fla., police said.

Thompson said investigators want to talk to anyone who thinks they may have been victimized by Todd.

"Due to the nature of Mr. Todd's business, we feel there is great potential for prior victims to be out there that have never reported it," Lake County Sheriff Mark Curran added.

Todd is in Lake County jail in lieu of $500,000 bond. His next court date is scheduled for Aug. 27.

Anyone with information regarding Todd is asked to call detectives Paul Warner or Wendell Russell at (847) 377-4250.