A 25-year-old Chicago photographer is being held without bail after McHenry County prosecutors say he drove more than 60 miles to meet a minor at a public park in Harvard, Illinois, where local police officers discovered the pair together. Milton Espino-Mejia now faces two felony charges tied to the September 4 encounter, and a judge has ordered him to remain in custody as the case moves forward.
According to the McHenry County State's Attorney's Office, Espino-Mejia is charged with aggravated criminal sexual abuse, a Class 2 felony, and traveling to meet a minor, a Class 3 felony. Prosecutors say Espino-Mejia met the minor through his work as a photographer and later attended a party where he was working, before arranging to meet the minor again. On September 4, prosecutors say he traveled from Chicago to Harvard, picked up the minor, and engaged in sexual intercourse with the minor at a public park, according to FOX 32 Chicago. Harvard police officers encountered the two at the park, and prosecutors say Espino-Mejia admitted to engaging in sexual conduct with the minor.
Judge Orders Detention Ahead of October Court Date
Espino-Mejia appeared in court on September 5, where Circuit Judge Mark Facchini granted the State's verified petition to detain him without pretrial release, per the state's attorney's office release. He is due back in court on October 6, 2026. Under Illinois' Pretrial Fairness Act, part of the state's SAFE-T Act that fully eliminated cash bail in September 2023, prosecutors were required to present clear and convincing evidence that Espino-Mejia posed a safety threat in order to secure his detention rather than simply set a bond amount, the same release explains. The state's attorney's office release also discusses the state's pretrial provisions.
The office's report also credits Harvard police with the intervention that led to the arrest. State's Attorney Randi Freese commended responding officers from the Harvard Police Department for their vigilance, and said adults who gain access to minors through their employment have an absolute responsibility to respect legal boundaries protecting children. Freese added that her office will act aggressively to protect minors and hold accountable adults who exploit legal boundaries for sexual purposes.
A Remote Corner of McHenry County
Harvard sits at the far northern edge of McHenry County near the Wisconsin border, a small city of under 10,000 residents governed by a mayor and city council, according to municipal records from the City of Harvard. It also serves as the outer terminus of Metra's Union Pacific Northwest line, making it the most remote commuter rail stop connecting directly to Chicago's Ogilvie Transportation Center, according to a local guide from Apartments.com.
Randi Freese took office in December 2024 as the first woman to serve as McHenry County State's Attorney, following 15 years in the office, including work as chief of the criminal division and prosecuting sex offenses, according to Shaw Local. Her office has a dedicated Crimes Against Children Task Force to coordinate investigations across local and regional law enforcement agencies. In March 2026, a McHenry man was denied pretrial release.
What Espino-Mejia Faces If Convicted
Espino-Mejia is charged with aggravated criminal sexual abuse and traveling to meet a minor. The article does not provide further details about the elements of the traveling-to-meet-a-minor offense, related case law, or potential sentencing ranges and fines.
The case remains pending, and his next court appearance is scheduled for October 6, 2026, in Courtroom 302.
