Prophetstown man charged with sexually assaulting a child

MORRISON – A 36-year-old Prophetstown man is in Whiteside County jail on $500,000 bond, accused of sexually abusing a child younger than 13.

Zachery M. Rangel is charged with one count of predatory criminal sexual asault of a child, which carries 6 to 60 years in prison, and two counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse, punishable by 3 to 7 years.

Rangel was charged in Whiteside County Court Tuesday and arrested during a traffic stop around 7:30 this morning after a lengthy Whiteside County Sheriff’s Department investigation, according to Sheriff John Booker and court records.

He pleaded not guilty today and was appointed a public defender. He has a preliminary hearing Oct. 25.