IL: Deportation possible for accused child molester

Deportation possible for accused child molester
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January 23, 2010
By BILL BIRD

An elderly man will face deportation proceedings following his trial on charges of sexually molesting one of his grandchildren last month in his Naperville home.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents on Friday placed a "no bond" hold on Daniel G. Hernandez, 76, who lives with several family members in an apartment at 770 Inland Circle.

Hernandez is charged with aggravated criminal sexual abuse, a felony. He allegedly made a videotape or took photographs of himself molesting his victim, a pre-teenage child who Naperville police said was abused between Dec. 14 and 18.

Bond for Hernandez was set Friday at $17,500 by a judge in DuPage County Circuit Court in Wheaton. He remained Friday evening in DuPage County Jail.

Hernandez's country of origin was not known. It also could not be determined Friday whether he is in the U.S. illegally, is here on a visa or has a "green card."

ICE spokeswoman Gail Montenegro said federal authorities ordered the "no bond" hold "because we believe that person is eligible for deportation." Those proceedings will begin immediately upon conclusion of the criminal case, she said.

Police were called at 7:52 p.m. Wednesday to Hernandez's home, in the County Lakes area of Naperville's far northwest side.

Fire and police emergency radio reports broadcast about that time indicated at least two family members had locked themselves in a bedroom of the ground-floor apartment. A 911 caller reported having possession of a videotape that "involves a molestation" allegedly committed by Hernandez, according to the radio broadcasts.

Police Cmdr. Mike Anders on Thursday would not confirm or deny the existence of a film or photographs of the alleged abuse, saying only that unspecified evidence was recovered from the apartment.

Anders also assured area residents that investigators have concluded Hernandez "has not victimized any other children."

Hernandez is scheduled to appear Feb. 22 in court.

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