Sterling man charged with sexual assault of 14-year-old

POLO – A Sterling man was in Ogle County Jail Monday after being accused of sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl.

Bond was set at $75,000 for Isaac T. Howard, 32, who is charged with criminal sexual assault, a felony that carries 4 to 15 years in prison.

The girl’s mother reported an assault, which she said happened early Dec. 6 in Polo, Chief of Police Dennis Christen said. Howard was arrested Dec. 7.

He was appointed a public defender and has a court hearing scheduled for Wednesday.

In 2005, Howard was sentenced to 2 years 6 months of probation in Whiteside County for aggravated battery in a public place, also a felony.