New details emerge in Crystal Lake kidnapping

A Crystal Lake man charged in the violent kidnapping of his former girlfriend intended to rape the victim in a hidden basement, post a recording of the act online then kill himself, a prosecutor said in court Wednesday.

Authorities revealed new details of the case against Steven W. Hess, 56, during a hearing Wednesday at which he unsuccessfully sought a reduction in the $150,000 bond he's been held on since December.

Hess, of the 400 block of West Virginia Street, faces charges that include aggravated kidnapping, attempted aggravated criminal sexual assault, aggravated domestic battery and aggravated battery stemming from the Dec. 9 abduction that ultimately was foiled with the help of a Good Samaritan.

Authorities say Hess kidnapped his 52-year-old ex-girlfriend about 7:20 p.m. as she left her workplace on Route 14 in Crystal Lake. He dragged her into his car, tied a rope around her neck and bound her hands with zip ties then drove to a commercial space on Virginia Road, authorities said.

Inside the business, Assistant McHenry County State's Attorney Ryan Blackney said Wednesday, was a hidden floor panel leading to a basement. Police later found in the basement a makeshift bed, more rope, condoms and lubricant, Blackney said.

"(Hess) said there was no intention to hurt the victim, but torture her mentally," the prosecutor added. "He said he was going to have sex with the victim and post it on the Internet."

After putting the act online, Blackney said, Hess told authorities he intended to kill himself by overdosing on pills.

His plan came apart, however, when the woman broke free inside the business and ran outside. Hess, authorities said, sprayed her with pepper spray and repeatedly struck her in the face - leaving her with several deep lacerations - in an effort to subdue her. But a passer-by saw the altercation, yelled at the suspect and called police, leading Hess to let the woman go and flee.

He was arrested about 5:20 a.m. the next day after police found him hiding near his burning car in a field south of Woodstock.

Hess asked Judge Sharon Prather to lower his bond to $80,000 Wednesday so he could get out of jail, live with a friend and seek an experimental treatment for a genetic nerve disorder.

Prather, however, rejected the request after hearing details of his case and noting that he would face a lengthy prison sentence - up to 30 years - if convicted.