Elk Grove man admits molesting 4-year-old, receives probation sentence

A 65-year-old Elk Grove Village man admitted in court Tuesday to allegations he inappropriately touched a 4-year-old girl over her clothes in 2008 under a plea deal in which he was sentenced to two years probation and a lifetime of registering as a sex offender.

Walter F. Podolak, of the 1000 block of Cheetwood Court, also must undergo sex offender counseling and pay $2,136 in fines and court costs as part of an agreement in which he pleaded guilty to aggravated criminal sexual abuse, a Class 2 felony.

In return for the guilty plea, McHenry County prosecutors dismissed three other counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse and agreed to probation rather than the three to seven years in prison Podolak faced had he been found guilty after a trial.

Podolak recently received the same sentence in Cook County on a similar charge stemming from allegations involving the same victim.

Assistant McHenry County State's Attorney Philip Hiscock said the Cook County disposition, as well as the girl's age and her mother's wishes, played a part in the decision to allow Podolak probation.

"You have to consider the possible traumatic impact, and emotional impact, (testifying) could have on a 4-year-old," he said.

Podolak attorney James McAuliff declined to comment Tuesday.

The Elk Grove Village man, then a resident of Arlington Heights, was arrested in October 2008 after a joint investigation by McHenry and Arlington Heights police into accusations he had inappropriately touched the girl, who he had known previously.