By Steve Schmadeke and Liam
FordTribune reporters
A Chicago police officer was in
jail Friday night, accused of sexually assaulting a teenage girl who is a
member of his extended family, authorities said.
Daniel Aguilera, 57, who
records show is a 22-year veteran of the Chicago Police Department, was ordered
held in lieu of $75,000 in a hearing earlier Friday before Cook County Criminal
Court Judge Israel Desierto. Aguilera is charged with sexual assault and sexual
abuse.
Aguilera is accused of sexually
assaulting and sexually abusing the girl at his Southwest Side home early on
Jan. 1, while they were at the home alone, according to prosecutors. After the
attacks, the girl tried to leave the house with the excuse she was walking the
Aguilera’s family dog, but Aguilera followed her outside and called her back
into the house, according to Assistant State’s attorney Anastasia Harper.
When Aguilera’s wife returned
home in the morning, the girl told her what happened, and she drove the girl to
another family member’s house, with Aguilera following in another car,
prosecutors said. In a family meeting, Aguilera admitted he had massaged the
girl with lotion, prosecutors said.
Aguilera’s attorney, Joseph
Pavone, said that Aguilera has numerous commendations and has been married for
19 years.
“This man is appalled that she
would make these false accusations,” Pavone said.
Pavone said the officer also
has volunteered for two years with the Chicago Area Runners Association,
helping kids train to run half marathons. “He’s actually a pillar of the community.”
Outside court, Pavone said he
would challenge the judge’s ruling that Aguilera would have to surrender his
weapons, including his service weapon, which would prevent the officer from
working desk duty while the case is pending.
sschmadeke@tribune.com
lford@tribune.com