Authorities: Wheaton man charged with sexually assaulting woman

A Wheaton man accused of sexually assaulting a woman last month and fleeing the state was returned to DuPage County after being apprehended in Tennessee, authorities said.

Abel Rosales Ventura, 29, of the 1300 block of N. Main St., has been charged with three felony counts of aggravated criminal sexual assault, according to a news release from the DuPage County state’s attorney’s office.

According to prosecutors, a Wheaton police officer conducting an unrelated traffic stop on June 21 was told by a woman that she had been hit by her friend, later identified as Rosales Ventura, the day before.

After being taken to a hospital for treatment, the woman revealed to hospital staff that she had been sexually assaulted, authorities said.

As part of their investigation, authorities learned the victim visited Rosales Ventura at his apartment between 5 and 6 p.m. on June 20.

Prosecutors say at some point in the visit, Rosales Ventura threw the victim on his bed, tried to block her nose and mouth, and grabbed her by the neck, causing her to lose consciousness.

The victim’s 6-year-old son was in the apartment at the time, authorities said.

After the woman regained consciousness at approximately 4 a.m., Rosales Ventura, the woman and her son went to his car, where he took her phone away and sexually assaulted her with the boy in the back of the car, according to prosecutors.

Authorities said Rosales Ventura fled the state and was located in Morristown, Tennessee. After a judge issued an arrest warrant, Rosales Ventura was arrested on June 25 in a trailer park by officers with the Morristown Police Department, officials said.

Rosales Ventura remained in custody in Tennessee until waiving extradition. He was then transported to DuPage County by DuPage sheriff’s deputies.

Rosales Ventura was ordered to remain in jail until trial, officials said. His next court appearance is scheduled for July 27.