(Lake County, IL) – At the request of the Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office, a man charged with providing vape cartridges and cannabis edibles to minors in the Gurnee area in exchange for sex acts saw his bail doubled Thursday morning, May 13, 2021.
Isai Gonzaga, 26, who attended an in-person hearing Thursday after previously posting 10% of $250,000, left in handcuffs to be processed for jail under his new bail of $500,000. Gonzaga is charged with 26 counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse.
Lake County Circuit Judge Daniel Shanes doubled Gonzaga’s bail Thursday after a short hearing in which both sides argued their case.
Defense attorney Alana DeLeon said in court that Gonzaga, of Zion, could afford to pay an additional $500 at most toward a higher bond. But to be free again before trial, he will now have to post an additional $25,000, with his earlier $25,000 payment credited toward the new bail amount.
DeLeon said that Gonzaga, a Zion-Benton Township High School graduate, had no previous arrests and did well on a pretrial risk assessment. She also said he was living at home with his parents and siblings, and suggested that electronic monitoring and continued in-person hearings would allow the court to “keep tabs on him.”
Assistant State’s Attorney Mary Stanton requested the bond increase after an additional, third victim came forward. Stanton argued that the original bond did not reflect the new 10 counts recently added due to the additional victim. Stanton did not request an exact bail amount, but asked that the increase be “significant.”
After hearing from both sides, Shanes ruled that he was doubling Gonzaga’s bail to $500,000, noting that while he is presumed innocent, the charges against him involve multiple victims.
“The nature of the charges is quite serious. You are charged with 26 counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse,” Shanes said. “(Even) One count is a serious charge.”
Shanes added that under the allegations, Gonzaga had also provided minors with materials it is illegal for them to have.
Shanes set Gonzaga’s next court date for July 1 at 9 a.m.
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