A Lake in the Hills man accused of sexually assaulting two children and made them think “it was normal” was detained Friday in the McHenry County jail pretrial.
Michael C. Montero, 35, is charged with five counts of predatory criminal sexual assault with a victim younger than 13, a Class X felony, and two counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse with a victim younger than 18, a Class 2 felony, according to a criminal complaint in McHenry County court records and prosecutors.
Montero made a first court appearance Friday, when Judge Cynthia Lamb agreed with prosecutors that he is dangerous and no conditions could mitigate that. She detained him in the county jail pretrial.
Lake in the Hills Police began investigating Montero at the end of January after a child reported that Montero allegedly had been sexually abusing them. The child said in a forensic interview that the alleged abuse had been happening for several years, according to prosecutors. During the investigation authorities said they learned of a second alleged victim.
In detaining him Friday, Lamb said Montero made both children believe what he was doing “was normal.” He told them to keep it a secret, which they did “for years.” He asked one child what she wanted him to buy her to “bribe” them not to tell anyone, Lamb said.
Assistant State’s Attorney Margaret O’Brien said Montero began sexually assaulting one child when she was about 7 or 8 years old. He told her not to tell anyone because it would hurt and destroy people.
“It is crystal clear this defendant has a specific type of child he targets ... 8 to 14 years old,” O’Brien said. “He is not only a danger to” the children he is accused of assaulting “but to the community.”
Although not charged, prosecutors said a third woman told detectives that Montero sexually assaulted her 15 years ago when she was a child. She did not tell anyone, she said, because she “tried not to rock the boat,” O’Brien said.
Assistant Public Defender David Giesinger argued for Montero’s release with conditions and questioned why someone would make claims from 15 years ago. He said Montero had served in the U.S. Army for 13 years, has no criminal history, is not suicidal and has no access to firearms.
He said Montero could be fitted with GPS, be on house arrest and live at his mother’s home, away from the alleged victims, and he would not be around any children.
But O’Brien said there is no way to ensure Montero would not be around children.
Prosecutors said the investigation is ongoing and anyone with information is encouraged to contact their local police department or the McHenry County Sheriff’s Office.
Montero is due back in court Feb. 20.