Bond raised in sex case amid deportation concerns

WOODSTOCK – Bond for a Harvard man accused of sexually assaulting a young girl was raised to $750,000 on Wednesday after prosecutors warned a judge that he could be deported within a week.

Isaias L. Hernandez-Bautista, 49, is charged with one count of predatory criminal sexual assault and two counts of criminal sexual abuse.

He had posted $15,000 on July 13 and was turned over to Immigration and Customs Enforcement in Jefferson County.

McHenry County Assistant State's Attorney Kate Lenhard told Judge Sharon Prather that if Hernandez-Bautista chooses to waive deportation proceedings, he could be out of the country within a week.

Prosecutors previously said that various sexual acts were performed on the alleged victim, a neighbor younger than 8 years old, and that when Hernandez-Bautista was interviewed, he acknowledged drinking a lot but denied the allegations.

An attorney for Hernandez-Bautista previously said that he moved to the United States from Mexico about 14 or 15 years go and was living in Harvard for about 11 years. He is not a legal resident.

The most serious offense Hernandez-Bautista faces is a Class X felony, which is typically punishable by up to 30 years in prison. His next scheduled court date is Aug. 3.