Round Lake Park man denies molesting child
A Round Lake Park man pleaded not guilty Thursday to charges he molested an 11-year-old girl.
Jose Garcia-Suarez, 32, faces up to 30 years in prison if convicted of predatory sexual assault of a child.
Lake County Assistant State’s Attorney Ryan Koehl said Garcia-Suarez, of the 400 block of Highmoor Drive, is a friend of the Round Lake Beach victim’s parents.
Garcia-Suarez was in the girl’s parents’ car in November or December of last year, Koehl said, and was riding in the back seat with the girl. The girl later told her mother that Garcia-Suarez had molested her as they were driving, Koehl said, and her mother contacted Round Lake Beach police.
Police said Garcia-Suarez admitted molesting the girl. He is held on $100,000 bond.
Associate Judge Christopher Stride scheduled a trial of the case for June 24, and ordered Garcia-Suarez to appear in court June 2.