Palatine man facing sex abuse charge over 15-year-old 'girlfriend'

McHenry County authorities arrested a 21-year-old Palatine man Thursday on allegations he had a sexual relationship with a 15-year-old girl.

Rene Ortiz, of the 2000 block of Rand Road, faces one count of aggravated criminal sexual abuse stemming from claims he had sex with the girl Oct. 16 at his former residence near Island Lake.

Ortiz was arrested on a warrant Thursday by members of the McHenry County Sheriff's Fugitive Apprehension Unit and transported to the county jail, where he remained Friday unable to post 10 percent of a $50,000 bond. During a brief court appearance Friday he was assigned a public defender and a May 5 court date.

Sgt. Michael Cisner said sheriff's detectives began investigating the case after the girl's mother initially reported the allegations to police in Wauconda, where she and the girl live.

"As they were doing their investigation, it was learned that the incident occurred in our jurisdiction," Cisner said.

Cisner said Ortiz and the girl had a dating relationship that had been met with disapproval by the 15-year-old's mother. The sex, he said, was not forced, but because of her age the girl could not give legal consent.

The charge against Ortiz is a Class 2 felony for which he could be sentenced to three to seven years in prison, or probation, if found guilty.