Arrest made in Ingleside child assault

Lake County sheriff's deputies say they've arrested a man who sexually assaulted a 5-year-old Ingleside girl earlier this month.

Joseph Ray Dalton, 23, of 35673 David Court in Ingleside, was arrested in front of his home Monday, sheriff's spokesman Sgt. Christopher Thompson said.

Dalton is charged with one count of predatory criminal sexual assault, a Class X felony, for the April 18 attack. He is in Lake County jail in lieu of a $350,000 cash bond set Tuesday morning by Judge Daniel Shanes.

"I am elated at the quick action of our professionals," Lake County Sheriff Mark Curran said. "Had our detectives not tracked down this monster, God knows what could have happened to someone else."

Lake County sheriff's Detective Paul Warner said the victim and her brother were playing in the driveway of their home near Rollins Road and Oakwood Avenue about 2:15 p.m. the day of the incident when Dalton was walking down the road.

He walked up to the children, made rude comments to the victim, then forced the girl to perform a sex act on him, he said.

Warner said Dalton left the area through a wooded shortcut. The children immediately ran in the house and told their parents, who called sheriff's police.

"The kids were only outside in the driveway for 10 minutes when this happened," Warner said.

Police have been on the hunt for Dalton since the event took place, Thompson said. He said the case was broken open when an officer identified the man in a sketch of the offender released last week.

"A lot of deputies come into contact with people when out on routine patrols," he said. "A detective remembered someone from that area in years past while patrolling."

If convicted, Dalton could face up to 30 years behind bars for the assault. He is scheduled to be in court at 1:30 p.m. May 22 for arraignment.