From the State’s Attorney:
WONDER LAKE MAN DETAINED ON AGGRAVATED CRIMINAL SEXUAL ASSAULT CHARGE AFTER FLEEING TO WISCONSIN
McHenry County State’s Attorney Randi L. Freese announced today that the Honorable Judge Mark R. Gerhardt granted the State’s petition to deny pretrial release for Barry C. Pederson, 38, of Wonder Lake, Illinois, following his extradition from Wisconsin.
Pederson is charged with Aggravated Criminal Sexual Assault, a Class X felony, and Unlawful Restraint, a Class 4 felony.
Evidence presented during the detention hearing established that on June 13, 2026, Pederson allegedly sexually assaulted a woman in Wonder Lake.
Following the assault, Pederson allegedly broke the victim’s cellular phone and fled Illinois for Wisconsin.
Investigators also learned that Pederson allegedly admitted to a third party that he had “raped” the woman before leaving the state.
Pederson was subsequently located and arrested in Kenosha County, Wisconsin, in July.
He was extradited back to McHenry County this week and appeared in Initial Appearance Court on August 14, 2026. State’s Attorney Freese commended the coordinated efforts of law enforcement in Illinois and Wisconsin that led to Pederson’s apprehension and return to McHenry County.
“Fleeing across state lines does not allow you to escape accountability,” State’s Attorney Freese said.
“The first step was bringing this man back to McHenry County. The second was ensuring he remained behind bars.
“We will now move forward with prosecuting these extraordinarily serious allegations and seeking justice for the victim.”
Pederson’s next court appearance is scheduled for September 11, 2026 in Courtroom 302.
This matter remains under investigation. Anyone with information regarding this incident is encouraged to contact the McHenry County Sheriff’s Department at (815) 338-2144.
Members of the public are reminded that a criminal complaint contains only charges and is not proof of the defendant’s guilt. The defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial at which the State bears the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
