Lake County Sheriff’s Detectives arrested a Beach Park resident, convicted of Aggravated Criminal Sexual Abuse of a 9 year-old victim, for violating the sexual predator registry by answering his doorbell and providing candy to children during trick-or-treating hours Sunday, October 27, 2024.
During Halloween trick-or-treating, Lake County Sheriff’s Detectives conduct additional patrols to help ensure the safety of children. Part of their duties is to confirm that registered sexual predators are following state law by not engaging with trick-or-treaters. The Lake County Sheriff’s Office also sends reminders to offenders within its jurisdiction about this requirement.
In Beach Park, detectives saw two minors approach the home of Margarito T. Esparza, 71, a lifetime registered sexual predator with a prior conviction for aggravated criminal sexual abuse, who resides in the bock of 38200 North Sheridan Road, Beach Park.
Esparza allegedly opened the door and provided candy to the children, according to the Lake County Sheriff’s Office.
According to the Illinois State Police Sex Offender Registry, Margarito T. Esparza (alias Margarito Esparza-Treto) was 69 years-old at the time of the offense, and his victim was 9 years-old. The offense date was June 19, 2021, and Esparza was arrested by the Waukegan Police Department.
Esparza is described as a male/white 5’8″ 210 LBS in the registry.
Following the violation, detectives interacted with Esparza and placed him under arrest. After reviewing the case, the Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office approved the charge of Unlawful Participation of a Sexual Predator During a Holiday Event Involving Minors.
Esparza appeared in court Monday morning, October 28, 2024, and was ordered to follow pretrial conditions. He was released as non-detainable under the Illinois SAFE-T Act (Pretrial Fairness Act), and is due back in court on November 19, 2024, at 1:30 p.m. in courtroom T020.
Esparza’s pre-trial conditions are …
No Contact with any minors
No Drugs including Cannabis
No Alcohol
Random Testing
Return to Probation
Esparza was released with no bond amount required.
OTHER CRIMINAL HISTORY …
Esparza was arrested for DUI by the Mundelein Police Department on September 15, 2002, and received one year supervision, an assignment to DUI School 6 months, and a fine of $850.
Esparza was arrested for DUI by the Lake County Sheriff’s Office on July 29, 2005, and received a 100 hour Public Service assignment, a no alcohol consumption order, a jail sentence of 90 days, one year probation, an assignment to DUI School 6 months, and a fine of $800.
“Convicted child sexual predators know they are strictly prohibited from nearly every activity involving children. Our team works tirelessly to ensure the safety of our most vulnerable, and this is another example of their outstanding dedication.”
— Sheriff John D. Idleburg
Lake County Sheriff’s Detectives will continue their extra patrols throughout this week’s trick-or-treating in Lake County, according to the Lake County Sheriff’s Office.
All defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.
— Lake County Sheriff’s Office
^^ MOBILE? USE VOICE MIC ^^
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