Lake County prosecutors have filed additional charges against a Waukegan man, alleging that he sexually abused a second child decades ago.
Richard Villanueva, 57, was already facing sexual assault charges against a child. On Thursday, he was charged with four additional counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse related to a second child, the Lake County state’s attorney’s office said Thursday.
Villanueva was charged in the first case in late August, with authorities alleging he repeatedly assaulted a child over a period of years dating back over a decade.
Around that time, after media reports circulated on the arrest, a woman in her 30s came forward and told police that as a child she had been assaulted over several years by Villanueva, according to prosecutors. The woman previously wanted to disclose the alleged abuse, authorities said, but had been told by a family member that the statute of limitations had expired.
Prosecutors determined the case could still be brought.
Until his arrest, Villanueva worked as a bus driver for a company that provided transportation for the Waukegan school system. Authorities said that the alleged assaults were not connected to his work.
Villanueva is being held in the Lake County jail in lieu of $750,000 bail.
“Our prosecutors are working hard to learn the truth about the scope of this defendant’s crimes. We encourage any additional victims of Mr. Villanueva to come forward to the Waukegan Police Department. Our prosecutors will review the case, and our professional victim advocates will support you,” Lake County State’s Attorney Eric Rinehart said.
Clifford Ward is a freelance reporter.
