No bail for Wheeling man charged with sexually abusing girls

A 33-year-old Wheeling man was ordered held without bail Tuesday on charges he sexually abused two girls.

Buenaventura Espinosa-Tapia is charged with aggravated criminal sexual abuse of a girl who prosecutors say was 8 or 9 years old at the time of the abuse, which they say took place December 2019 through March 2020. Espinosa-Tapia is also charged with predatory criminal sexual assault of a girl who was 12 or 13 at the time of the abuse, which they say took place from July 2017 to June 2018.

If convicted of the most serious charges, Espinosa-Tapia could face up to 30 years in prison.

"Our position is that the release of the defendant would pose a physical threat to any person or persons," said Assistant Cook County State's Attorney Nicole Murphy.

Cook County Judge Ellen Mandeltort agreed with regard to the predatory criminal sexual assault charges. On the criminal sexual abuse charge, Mandeltort set bail at $100,000 and ordered Espinosa-Tapia have not contact with anyone under age 18.

He next appears in court March 12.