Lake in the Hills teen gets probation after admitting to reduced sex charge

A Lake in the Hills teen formerly accused of raping a high school classmate last year admitted guilt today to a significantly reduced charge that resulted in a sentence of probation instead of prison.

Cody L. Flores, 18, of the 1300 block of Cunat Court, pleaded guilty to misdemeanor criminal sexual abuse, admitting that he had sex with a girl who, at the time, was 15 years old.

Under the deal, Flores was sentenced to sex offender probation and the 357 days he's spent in the McHenry County jail since his arrest. He must also register as a sex offender.

Flores initially faced up to 15 years in prison after authorities charged him with criminal sexual assault, criminal sexual abuse and criminal trespass in connection with the Aug. 31, 2009, incident inside a Lake in the Hills residence.

The girl told police Flores violently forced her into sex after driving her home from school that afternoon, but the evidence could not support those claims, defense attorney Todd Cohen said.

"Based upon the evidence there was no force whatsoever," Cohen said. Instead, Cohen said, Flores admitted to having consensual sex with a girl a little more than a year younger than he was at the time.

Assistant McHenry County State's Attorney David Johnston said the plea agreement was appropriate "given the facts and circumstances of the case."

Flores' mother, Shannon Flores, said outside court she hopes to change the law that punished her son for having sex with a girl nearly this age.

"They were basically within a year of one another and (this law) is ruining lives," she said.