Ingleside man pleads not guilty to sex assault of child

An Ingleside man pleaded not guilty in Lake County court Thursday afternoon to multiple counts of sexually assaulting a child.

Barry A. Deacon, 34, of the 35600 block of North Greenleaf Avenue, pleaded not guilty to four counts of criminal sexual assault and four counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse of a child.

Because sentences on the sexual assault and sexual abuse charges could run consecutively, Deacon faces up to 60 years in prison if found guilty at trial, Judge Christopher Stride said.

Deacon also pleaded not guilty to charges of failure as a sex offender to report a change of address. That charge could put him behind bars for an additional seven years, Stride said.

Deacon remains in the Lake County jail on $750,000 bail.

Authorities said they began investigating Deacon after allegations that he made advances toward a minor visiting Ingleside. According to the Lake County sheriff's office, detectives then learned the juvenile has been sexually assaulted by Deacon in November.

A warrant for his arrest was issued in January. He was arrested March 3.

Deacon was convicted in 2004 of aggravated criminal sexual abuse involving a victim under the age of 13.

Deacon is due to stand trial June 10. His next court date is April 17.