Former Ice Cream Truck Driver Faces Predatory Sex Assault Charges

By Sam Borcia, Lake & McHenry County Scanner

A 47-year-old man, who was recently working as an ice cream truck driver, has been charged with sexually assaulting and abusing multiple children over the span of several years in Antioch.

Jose Mondragon, 47, of Round Lake Beach, was charged with five counts of predatory criminal sexual assault and three counts of aggravated sexual abuse.

The Antioch Police Department said they received reports that Mondragon sexually abused multiple children and they launched an investigation. The assaults occurred over a several-year time span, dating back to 2008, according to court records.

The Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office approved the charges against Mondragon and a Lake County judge issued an arrest warrant for him. Mondragon was tracked down to a campsite in the Zion area and taken into custody by Antioch police detectives.

He was transported to the Lake County Jail on Wednesday where he remains held on a $1 million bond.

During a bond hearing Thursday, Mondragon’s attorney told Lake County Judge Theodore Potkonjak that it was his understanding that Mondragon drives a truck selling ice cream to children. Potkonjak said Mondragon will not be “doing that anymore” as part of his bond conditions.

He also ordered the man to not have any contact with minors under 18 and ordered him to stay away from schools, parks and daycares.

Antioch Police Chief Geoffrey Guttschow said his department has “zero tolerance” for crimes committed against children.

“Any crime against a child will be vigorously pursued and the offender relentlessly sought until found and behind bars,” Guttschow said.

“Our detectives did a great job with investigating and ultimately taking Mondragon into custody.”

Lake and McHenry County Scanner is a local breaking news website covering issues that matter such as shootings, stabbings, house fires, kidnappings, car accidents, and more around Lake County and McHenry County.