Trial in Mundelein abduction case delayed
The trial for a Chicago man accused of kidnapping and molesting a 3-year-old Mundelein girl has been delayed until March, officials said Thursday.
Jose Reyes, 28, of the 4900 block of West North Avenue, also asked Lake County Judge Mark Levitt to have prosecutors return a car, computer and a cellphone to a family member while he is held in jail on $5 million bond.
The items were confiscated from Reyes following his Oct. 2 arrest, authorities said.
Reyes could be sentenced to 150 years in prison if found guilty of charges of aggravated kidnapping, kidnapping, predatory criminal sexual assault, production of child pornography, and possession of child pornography.
He faces up to 60 years behind bars for the sexual assault charge, 30 years for each of the two counts of production of child pornography, and 30 years for aggravated kidnapping. If Reyes is convicted on all of the charges against him, the sentences would be served consecutively and could total up to 150 years in prison, authorities said.
Reyes was scheduled to go to trial Jan. 21, but the trial date has been postponed until March 3.
Levitt did not respond to Reyes’ request to have the items returned to a family member. Reyes’ attorneys would need to file paperwork to release items deemed not detrimental to the case against him, officials said.
Reyes is accused of approaching the victim and her 9-year-old sister near their building in the Deepwoods Apartment complex on the 500 block of Deepwoods Drive about 5:30 p.m. Sept. 30, authorities said.
After the older girl refused candy offered by Reyes, authorities said, he grabbed the younger child, strapped her in the front seat of a 2007 Hyundai Accent and sped off.
A man found the victim wandering in a nearby parking lot about 30 minutes later and phoned police. The victim was reunited with her mother, then taken to a hospital where tests were conducted, police said.
Video surveillance from where the girl was dropped off and a traffic ticket that recently had been issued to Reyes led police to interview and arrest him at his Libertyville job.