Beach Park man, 70, accused of sexually assaulting woman with intellectual disability

LAKE COUNTY, Ill. – A 70-year-old man is facing felony charges after allegedly sexually assaulting a nonverbal, mentally disabled woman in Beach Park, according to the Lake County Sheriff’s Office.

Officials say Alfredo De La Cruz, of Beach Park, forced the daughter of his housekeeper, whom he dated for two years, to perform sexual acts. Authorities learned of the alleged assault after the housekeeper became suspicious of De La Cruz and set up surveillance that caught him in the act.

According to the Lake County Sheriff’s Office, the woman who cleaned De La Cruz’s house brought her daughter to the house several times. Officials added that the victim usually stayed in the living room while her mother cleaned.

De La Cruz is charged with aggravated sexual assault and abuse of a mentally disabled person, as well as two counts of sexual assault.