McHenry sex abuse suspect jailed on charge he harassed accuser

A McHenry man charged with sexually molesting three teens in incidents dating back almost a decade is back in jail facing new allegations that he harassed one of his accusers.

Christopher R. Ostrander, 38, was arrested last week on charges of harassment of a witness stemming from an April 24 encounter with a 19-year-old woman outside a McHenry grocery store, McHenry County Sheriff's police announced Monday.

Ostrander also faces a pair of weapons charges alleging he unlawfully possessed firearm ammunition, including armor-piercing bullets, when deputies arrested him at his home last Wednesday.

He is being held in the McHenry County jail without bond pending a court appearance Wednesday morning.

The harassment charge alleges Ostrander engaged his accuser outside the McHenry store, causing her mental anguish and emotional distress. Sheriff's Lt. Andrew Zinke said it is not clear whether the meeting was a chance encounter or Ostrander followed the woman to the business.

Ostrander attorney Matthew Haiduk called the allegations "fairly weak" and said his client looks forward to a trial.

Ostrander already is awaiting trial on multiple felony charges including predatory criminal sexual assault, aggravated criminal sexual abuse and child pornography stemming from accusations made by three minor girls in 2006.

Authorities allege he plied at least one of the girls with gifts in return for sexual favors and communicated with all three over the popular Internet networking site Myspace.

Ostrander, who had been free on bond before last week's arrest, has denied the accusations.