FBI raid leads to multiple child sexual assault charges against Lake County man
A Lake County man whose home was raided Tuesday morning by the FBI and local police has been charged with multiple counts of predatory criminal sexual assault of a child younger than 13.
Jose Torrez, 50, of the 33100 block of North Sears Boulevard near Grayslake, remains in Lake County jail and would have to pay $50,000 in cash to leave.
Lake County sheriff's Lt. Christopher Covelli said the investigation started when a child told a trusted family member about being assaulted by Torrez for about three years. The family reported the assaults to police.
Sheriff's detectives worked with members of the Lake County Children's Advocacy Center to conduct the investigation.
Investigators determined the child had been assaulted at Torrez's home as well as motels in Grayslake and Libertyville and a residence in Waukegan, officials said. Also, investigators learned Torrez took the child on a trip to Mexico at one point, so the FBI was called in to assist on the case, Covelli said.
Torrez was arrested on a warrant March 31 at his home by Lake County sheriff's deputies. Investigators then obtained a search warrant, Covelli said.
On Tuesday, sheriff's deputies, with the assistance of the FBI, the Waukegan and Grayslake Police Departments and the Lake County state's attorney's office, conducted a search of Torrez's home. Covelli said numerous items were seized during the raid, but he could not disclose what was taken.
Covelli said the child is safe and with family.
The investigation into Torrez is ongoing, and additional charges are expected, officials said.
"We will always seek justice for the victims of sexual abuse, and we have dedicated a full-time detective to the Lake County Children's Advocacy Center for that exact purpose," Lake County Sheriff John D. Idleburg said. "I am grateful for the collaboration which went into this investigation between local and federal agencies, to help a young child who was victimized in terrible way."
Torrez is next due in court on Friday morning.