Judge refuses lower bond for Lake in the Hills rape suspect

A Lake in the Hills teen charged with raping a high school classmate will remain locked up in the McHenry County jail after a judge Monday refused to lower his $200,000 bond.

Judge Sharon Prather denied Cody L. Flores' motion for a bond reduction after hearing a prosecutor's graphic account of the alleged assault and learning that the teen is facing other sex-related charges in juvenile court.

"Based on the violent nature of this crime, the defendant poses a great danger to the public," Assistant McHenry County State's Attorney Simeon Kim said in arguing against a lower bond.

Flores, 17, of the 1300 block of Cunat Court, is charged with criminal sexual assault, criminal sexual abuse and criminal trespass in connection with an Aug. 31 incident at a Lake in the Hills residence.

Kim said Monday Flores repeatedly forced sex on the 15-year-old girl after driving her home from school.

"All the time the victim was telling the defendant to stop and she was crying," he said.

At the time of the incident, the prosecutor revealed, Flores was facing juvenile court proceedings stemming from a September 2008 incident in which he is accused of forcibly fondling another teenage girl, wrestling her to the ground and attempting to pull her legs apart before she managed to escape.

In seeking the bond reduction, Flores attorney William Gracik noted that despite the accusations, he has no criminal background and never has been disciplined at school.

"He's not a menace to society," Gracik said.

Flores, who has yet to enter a plea, could face up to 15 years in prison if convicted of criminal sexual assault.