Creston man charged with abusing child

DeKALB – A Creston man has been charged with sexual assault of a child for abuse that police say took place over eight years.

Octavio M. Cruz, 42, of the 300 block of Route 38 in Creston, was charged Thursday with predatory criminal sexual assault of a child and four counts of criminal sexual assault, according to court documents. Bail was set at $500,000, according to court documents.

Cruz is in custody at the Ogle County Jail on $750,000 bond, where he has been held since his arrest May 9. He has been charged with three counts of predatory criminal sexual assault of a child, two counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse and one count of child pornography in Ogle County. He also has an immigration hold and is believed to be in the country illegally, police said.

DeKalb County Sheriff Roger Scott said he was informed in mid-May by the Ogle County Sheriff's Office of the possible abuse. The charges in both counties are based on abuse of the same child, Scott said.

Cruz is accused of having sexual relations with a girl who is a friend of the family, Scott said. That family moved throughout the area during the past decade, he said, hence the charges in both counties.

"In Ogle County, the victim was encouraged after talking to friends and counselors to make the report," Scott said.

The DeKalb County charges stem from abuse that reportedly took place at residences in DeKalb and two rural roads within the county, Scott said.

Cruz is next in court at 1 p.m. July 27 in Ogle County. Scott said he did not think Cruz would be transferred to DeKalb County until after the Ogle County charges were dealt with.

Predatory criminal sexual assault of a child is a Class X felony and is punishable by up to 30 years in prison. Criminal sexual assault is a Class 1 felony and is punishable by up to 15 years in prison.