A DuPage County judge has ordered a Wheaton man to stay behind bars after prosecutors successfully moved to deny him pretrial release in a case that alleges he sexually assaulted a woman while her 6-year-old son was present. Abel Rosales Ventura, 29, faces three counts of aggravated criminal sexual assault and was brought back to DuPage County this week after being arrested out of state. Authorities say the alleged attack began at his apartment on the evening of June 20 and continued into the early hours of June 21.
DuPage County State’s Attorney Robert Berlin and Wheaton police announced the charges in a news release posted by the DuPage County State’s Attorney’s Office, which states that a judge granted the State’s motion to deny pretrial release and ordered Rosales Ventura detained while his case moves forward. The office published the statement on July 23.
Allegations Outlined By Prosecutors
As reported by the Daily Herald, prosecutors say the woman went to Rosales Ventura’s apartment between about 5 and 6 p.m. on June 20. There, he allegedly threw her onto a bed, tried to block her nose and mouth, and grabbed her by the neck, causing her to lose consciousness. According to the same report, after she regained consciousness at roughly 4 a.m., prosecutors allege Rosales Ventura took her phone and sexually assaulted her in his car while her six-year-old son was in the backseat.
Arrest In Tennessee And Extradition
Police later tracked Rosales Ventura to Morristown, Tennessee, where officers arrested him on June 25 in a trailer park and he subsequently waived extradition to Illinois, according to Patch. DuPage County officials publicly praised the arrest, with State’s Attorney Robert Berlin calling the apprehension “the first step in achieving justice,” according to local reporting.
Judge Denies Pretrial Release
The county’s news release states that DuPage Associate Judge Joshua Dieden granted the State’s motion to deny pretrial release, keeping Rosales Ventura in custody at the county jail while the case proceeds. Wheaton Police Chief P. J. Youker is quoted in that statement saying, “You can run, you can hide, but we will find you and deliver you to the justice of the courts,” according to the DuPage County State’s Attorney’s Office.
What The Charges Mean
Aggravated criminal sexual assault is charged as a Class X felony under Illinois law, a category reserved for some of the state’s most serious offenses. The statute and sentencing provisions are set out in state code at 720 ILCS 5/11-1.30.
Next Steps And Public Reminder
Rosales Ventura was transported back to DuPage County and remains held at the county jail. His next court appearance is scheduled for July 27, according to the Daily Herald. Authorities say the investigation is ongoing and are urging anyone with relevant information to contact investigators.
Prosecutors and police emphasized that the complaint contains only allegations and does not constitute proof of guilt. Rosales Ventura is presumed innocent unless and until he is proven guilty in court.
