Joliet, Illinois – A Will County judge granted pretrial release Thursday to a Joliet man charged with criminal sexual assault, rejecting prosecutors’ request to detain him.
According to the Will County State’s Attorney’s Office, 42-year-old Norlan Rosales-Vanegas was arrested Tuesday by the Will County Sheriff’s Office following a reported assault at a residence on Bradford Road in Joliet Township’s Preston Heights area.
Prosecutors allege Rosales-Vanegas inserted his fingers into a woman’s body “by the use of force or the threat of force,” and charged him with one count of criminal sexual assault and three counts of domestic battery. Authorities allege he pushed the woman onto a couch, held her down and pulled her clothing to mid-thigh. The woman told deputies the contact was unwelcome and that the two were not in a romantic relationship, according to court records.
Rosales-Vanegas allegedly told deputies he confronted the woman about returning home late and admitted grabbing and throwing her onto the couch. Deputies observed scratches on his neck, according to prosecutors.
Despite the charge qualifying as detention-eligible, Associate Judge John Pavich denied the state’s petition to hold Rosales-Vanegas in custody, citing no prior Illinois criminal history and the age of prior convictions in California.
Rosales-Vanegas was released from the Will County Jail on Wednesday and ordered to have no contact with the alleged victim and to stay away from the Bradford Road residence. His next court appearance is scheduled for March 12 in Courtroom 405.
The case may draw attention locally as Pavich is a candidate in the March 17 Illinois primary.
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