Woodridge maintenance man charged in sex assault of girl, 11

Bail was set at $500,000 Wednesday for a Woodridge maintenance man accused of sexually assaulting an 11-year-old girl at the apartment complex where he worked.

Jose Chagala, 20, of the 2600 block of Forest Drive, was in the DuPage County jail on a charge of predatory criminal sexual assault.

Assistant State's Attorney Cathy DeLaMar said in court that Chagala assaulted the victim in a laundry room at her Woodridge apartment complex last year after seeing her walk to school a few times and giving her gifts of jewelry and perfume. She said the defendant later attempted a second encounter on New Year's Day.

Although a language barrier prevented the two from communicating in words, DeLaMar said, the victim made it clear she was not interested in Chagala's advances.

In an interview with authorities Tuesday, Chagala admitted to having sex with the girl but said he did not believe he could get into trouble because he thought she wasn't a virgin, DeLaMar said.

“He said when he first met the victim, she indicated she was 14. But when investigators asked him how old he thought she was, he said he thought she was 12,” she said.

At a hearing Wednesday, Judge Liam Brennan set bail at $500,000, meaning Chagala must post $50,000 to go free while his case is pending. The judge ordered him to stay away from minors should he be released.

Chagala told the judge he made about $9 an hour as a maintenance man and was not likely to bond out.