Bus Driver Arrested On Child Sex Charges

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Lake County State's Attorneys Office


OFFICE OF THE STATE'S ATTORNEY
LAKE COUNTY, ILLINOIS
ERIC F. RINEHART
STATE'S ATTORNEY

August 31, 2021

                                                                                                  

                             

Contact: Joe Florip
Waukegan Police
(847) 599-2940

                                                                                      Contact: Jim Newton
(224) 374-2376
jnewton@lakecountyil.gov


Waukegan School Bus Driver Arrested On Child Sex Charges


Richard Villanueva

 Richard Villanueva

(Lake County, IL) -  Richard Villanueva, a 57-year old Waukegan resident, was arrested Tuesday by the Waukegan Police Department on criminal sexual assault charges against a minor relative.

On August 24, 2021, the Waukegan Police Department received information from the victim, who is now an adult, about repeated occasions of sexual assault over a period of several years when the victim was still a child. 

Villanueva was brought in by the Waukegan Police Department for questioning and thanks to the hard work of the investigations division they secured corroborating statements from the defendant.

The Lake County State's Attorney’s Office worked with the Waukgean Police Department to quickly issue charges for Villanueva. 

Lake County State’s Attorney Eric Rinehart applauded the work of the Waukegan Police Department's Investigations Unit and his Assistant State's Attorney's (ASAs).

"Nothing is more important than the safety of our children. I want to thank the Waukegan Police Department for their effective investigation and our ASAs who reviewed this case in the Sex Crimes Unit. Our prosecutors and victim advocates will ensure that the victims in this case get all the support that they need and that the defendant faces justice for his actions." State's Attorney Rinehart said.

A Lake County judge set Villanueva’s bond at $750,000 and he is scheduled to appear in court again on Sept. 21.

As this matter is subject to on-going investigation, any parent of a student that may have encountered the defendant is encouraged to speak with their child.

Anyone with information regarding this investigation is encouraged to contact the Waukegan Police Department Investigations Unit at 847-360-9000.

All defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.


Lake County State's Attorney's Office
18 N. County Street
Waukegan, IL 60085  
Phone: (847) 377-3000