Round Lake Beach man accused of sexually abusing girl

Round Lake Park police say a 23-year-old man has been charged with the sexual abuse of a girl that started when she was 6 years old in 2008.

Macario Soto of the 1500 block of Lakewood Parkway in Round Lake Beach was held Wednesday on 10 percent of a $250,000 bond at the Lake County jail.

Police Chief George Filenko said Soto was charged with two counts of predatory criminal sexual assault of a child and three counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse.

Filenko said a parent alerted authorities on Feb. 13 about the possible sexual abuse of the girl from 2008 to 2009 while Soto was an acquaintance of the family in Round Lake Park. He said the girl is now 9 years old.

An investigation was launched that included Children’s Advocacy Center directed by the Lake County State’s Attorney’s office and the Chicago Police Department, Filenko said.

“He made several detailed admissions,” Filenko said of Soto.

In addition to the $250,000 bond, the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency has placed a hold on Soto. Filenko said Soto is suspected of being an illegal immigrant.