A part-time Park City police officer is now facing a slate of felony charges after Illinois State Police said he sexually abused a woman during traffic stops. Officials said the officer, identified by Park City as Patrick Cacho, was arrested Tuesday and has since been fired by the department. Park City officials said they first learned of the allegations in late January and then turned the case over to the Illinois State Police for a criminal investigation.
According to a Park City Police Department release, Cacho was initially relieved of duty and placed on unpaid administrative leave when the department received the complaints and while investigators reviewed them. The release states that Illinois State Police later arrested Cacho on April 28 and charged him with aggravated criminal sexual abuse, aggravated battery, official misconduct and criminal sexual abuse. Park City said the officer "acted unprofessionally."
What officials said
In a statement to FOX 32 Chicago, Park City’s police chief called the allegations "deeply concerning" and said they ran directly against the department’s ethical standards. Officials declined to release further information about the specific traffic stops or any victims, citing the active investigation and making it clear they were not about to try this case in public before it hits a courtroom.
Charges and investigation timeline
The department’s release said investigators were told that Cacho "acted unprofessionally" and may have committed crimes while on duty on more than one occasion. Park City officials said the alleged abuse took place during traffic stops and that they requested the Illinois State Police lead the criminal probe, though they did not specify how many incidents are under review. According to the release, Cacho was arrested by Illinois State Police after Park City fired him.
Legal implications
Under Illinois law, aggravated criminal sexual abuse is defined at 720 ILCS 5/11-1.60, and official misconduct is laid out in 720 ILCS 5/33-3. Class 2 felonies generally carry a prison range of roughly three to seven years, and Class 3 felonies carry shorter terms, according to Illinois court guidelines. Those penalties are only potential outcomes if prosecutors ultimately prove the allegations in court. Cacho, like any defendant, is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
Broader context
National reporting has documented other cases in which officers allegedly used encounters such as ride-alongs or traffic stops to exploit civilians, fueling calls for stronger and more independent oversight of misconduct complaints. Reporting by The Marshall Project and others has highlighted patterns that advocates say demand transparent investigations when accusations like these surface.
It was not immediately clear when Cacho will appear in court. Park City officials said additional questions should be directed to the Illinois State Police. Authorities said they will work with prosecutors as the case moves forward and that further information will be released through official channels as it becomes available.
