Current case status
Roel Garcia-Salgado, 27, of Aurora, remains held in the Lake County Jail after Judge Michael Nerheim granted prosecutors’ request for detention while the case proceeds. The Lake and McHenry County Scanner reported that prosecutors also obtained revocation of his pretrial release in other Lake County cases.
Garcia-Salgado faces two counts of criminal sexual abuse, unlawful restraint and aggravated battery in a public place. He has denied the allegations and told investigators he was not at the parking garage, according to the Scanner’s account.
What prosecutors allege
The case concerns an Aug. 16 incident at a downtown Waukegan parking garage. According to the Lake and McHenry County Scanner, a 21-year-old woman told investigators she awoke while sleeping and found Garcia-Salgado touching her. Prosecutors allege he restrained her and covered her mouth when she called for help.
The woman’s boyfriend and another person intervened after hearing her screams, the Scanner reported. The account says Garcia-Salgado left after the confrontation and later called 911; officers responded to the garage and took him into custody after investigating. The allegations have not been tested at trial.
Detention and next hearing
The Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office argued that Garcia-Salgado posed a danger to the community and sought detention pending trial, as well as revocation of his release in other cases. Nerheim granted both requests. The Scanner reported that the judge cited Garcia-Salgado’s criminal history and alleged violations of release conditions.
The sexual-abuse case is Garcia-Salgado’s fourth active Lake County case. The other pending matters involve disorderly conduct, obstructing identification, criminal trespass and battery, according to the Scanner. He is scheduled to return to court on September 17.
Local resources and parking information
According to Lake County Community Development, people facing homelessness can call 2-1-1, text 898211 or visit 211lakecounty.org for 24-hour access to emergency shelter, housing and case-management services. For sexual-assault support, the Lake County Sheriff’s Office lists the Zacharias Sexual Abuse Center’s 24-hour support line at 847-872-7799. The City of Waukegan’s parking page lists Garage C as a downtown pay-station and permit facility. That current listing does not, by itself, document changes to the garage’s management, access, lighting, surveillance or emergency-contact systems since the 2014 camera-contract record.
