A judge set bond at $1 million after prosecutors said a man picked up two children and sexually assaulted one of them, while in possession of a firearm, near Antioch.
The Lake County Sheriff’s Office responded around 3:15 a.m. Saturday to the 40200 block of North Bonham Court in unincorporated Antioch after receiving a 911 call.
Lake County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Chief Christopher Covelli said the caller reported that George Soriano, 25, who lives at the residence, picked her and a friend up at their home in Wisconsin.
Soriano drove the girls to his home on Bonham Court where he sexually assaulted one of the girls, a 13-year-old, Covelli said.
Both victims were rescued by sheriff’s deputies and transported to an area hospital for evaluations.
Lake County Assistant State’s Attorney Lillian Lewis said during a bond hearing that Soriano provided the two girls with alcohol, marijuana and vape cartridges.
A further investigation revealed Soriano met the girls on a social media application, Covelli said.
Covelli said Soriano communicated with the victims on social media early Saturday morning and made a plan to pick them up.
Lewis said Soriano brandished a pistol with a laser sight while in his bedroom at one point, leading to the children feeling they could not leave.
Covelli said it is possible Soriano previously met in person with at least one of the juvenile victims.
Sheriff’s detectives conducted a search warrant at Soriano’s home and located a cannabis growing operation. A firearm was also recovered in the home.
The Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office reviewed the case and approved two counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse and one count of traveling to meet a minor.
Lake County Judge Stephen DeRue ordered Soriano held on a $1 million bond.
“These allegations are alarming, to say the least,” DeRue said just before he set bond.
Additional charges are possible against Soriano, authorities said.
Soriano remains held in the Lake County Jail and would need to post $100,000 cash in order to be released.
Attorney Robert T. Ritacca told Lake and McHenry County Scanner he has been retained to represent Soriano.
Soriano is scheduled to appear in court again on Monday for a status of attorney hearing.