From the State’s Attorney:
LAKE IN THE HILLS MAN DETAINED ON CHARGES OF PREDATORY CRIMINAL SEXUAL ASSAULT AGAINST TWO VICTIMS
McHenry County State’s Attorney Randi Freese announces that on February 13, 2026, the Honorable Judge Cynthia Lamb granted the State’s petition to deny pretrial release for Michael Montero, 35, of Lake in the Hills, Illinois. Montero appeared in Initial Appearance Court on February 13, 2026, charged with
- five counts of Predatory Criminal Sexual Assault (class X felonies) and
- two counts of Aggravated Criminal Sexual Abuse (class 2 felonies) for incidents that involve two minor victims.
Evidence was presented in court this afternoon that the Lake in the Hills Police Department began investigating Montero at the end of January when a ten-year-old victim reported that Montero, a family member, had been sexually abusing her since she was approximately seven years old.
A forensic interview of the child took place shortly thereafter where the child disclosed the abuse she had been enduring at the hands of Montero for several years.
During the investigation, it was discovered that Montero had also abused another child in March of 2024 when that child was visiting him in Cary while on a spring break from school.
A forensic interview was conducted with that child where similar allegations against Montero were disclosed.
State’s Attorney Freese commends the Lake in the Hills Police Department, McHenry County Sheriff’s Office, and the Child Advocacy Center of McHenry County for their collaborative efforts and thorough investigative work on behalf of these two young, brave victims.
This investigation is ongoing. If any member of the public has information regarding this incident or any similar incident involving the defendant, please file a report by contacting your local law enforcement agency or the McHenry County Sheriff’s Office.
In granting the State’s Petition to Deny Pre-Trial Release, Judge Lamb found that there were no conditions or combination of conditions that could mitigate the real and present threat that Montero presents to the victims and to the community.
Montero will remain in the custody of the McHenry County Jail during the pendency of this case. Montero’s next court appearance is scheduled for February 20, 2026, in courtroom 302.
Members of the public are reminded that this complaint contains only charges and is not proof of the defendant’s guilt. A defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial in which it is the government’s burden to prove his or her guilt beyond a reasonable doubt
