A Cook County judge on Thursday, Feb. 5, 2026, handed Emmanuel Ortega-Garcia a six-year prison sentence after he entered a plea to an amended charge of aggravated criminal sexual assault in connection with an attack on a 16-year-old Lane Tech student at a North Side Wendy's.
The case stems from an incident more than three years earlier, when prosecutors say Ortega-Garcia followed the teen off a CTA bus and into nearby businesses before the assault. The judge imposed the six-year term after accepting the amended plea in court.
According to ABC7 Chicago, prosecutors say Ortega-Garcia first met the 16-year-old on a CTA bus in October 2022, then followed her into a gas station and later into the Wendy's on North Western in Lakeview. Inside the restaurant, the victim texted someone for help while the situation escalated. Staff and Lane Tech security stepped in and detained Ortega-Garcia until police arrived. He ultimately filed an amended plea Thursday to one count of aggravated criminal sexual assault and received a six-year sentence.
How school staff helped stop the attack
As ABC7 Chicago first reported at the time, "the student was able to text someone for help," triggering a rapid response. Restaurant workers and Lane Tech security moved in quickly and held Ortega-Garcia at the scene until officers got there. Witnesses and school officials told investigators that the swift intervention helped prevent further harm, and Ortega-Garcia was taken into custody at the restaurant.
Charges and legal context
Ortega-Garcia pleaded to one count of aggravated criminal sexual assault. Under Illinois law, that offense is a Class X felony, which typically carries a prison range of six to 30 years, along with potential long-term consequences such as mandatory sex-offender registration. The details of the offense and penalties are outlined in the Illinois statute, available through FindLaw.
Next steps
The six-year sentence was formally imposed on Feb. 5. Ortega-Garcia remains in custody while court paperwork and sentencing orders are processed.
