Decatur man arrested on charges of sexually abusing a 12-year-old girl

DECATUR, Ill. (WAND) — A 40-year-old Decatur man has been charged with having sexual encounters with a 12-year-old girl.

Juan Manuel Pacheco-Ruiz was arrested on Monday for charges of criminal sexual abuse and criminal sexual assault of a minor under the age of 13.

Pacheco-Ruiz was arraigned Tuesday on charges of aggravated criminal sexual assault and grooming, and was denied pretrial release.

According to a sworn statement, police conducted a forensic interview at the Child 1st Center, with a child victim on Sunday. The child told police that last summer, when she was only 12, Pacheco-Ruiz became very flirtatious and things escalated quickly.

The victim informed police that on three separate occasions, Pacheco-Ruiz had picked her up, taken her to a barn, where he undressed her and than proceeded to abuse her.

In a sworn statement the victim said she told Pacheco-Ruiz to stop and that she didn't know what he was doing, and she didn't want it. The victim said Pacheco-Ruiz responded stating, "You're fine, you're fine, just don't tell anyone, it will feel good."

Pacheco-Ruiz returns to court May 21.