A judge set a $2.5 million bond Tuesday for a man charged in a Northwest Side sexual assault last month that left a 15-year-old girl fighting for her life.
Luis Pantoja, 25, of the 5500 block of West Wrightwood Avenue, is charged with attempted first-degree murder, aggravated criminal sexual assault, aggravated battery and unlawful use of a weapon by felon.
He's accused of attacking the Golder College Prep honor student on her way to school in the Belmont Craig neighborhood on Dec. 17. Weeks after the attack, the victim is still recuperating from her injuries.
"A lot of people are scared around here, but they're glad that he's caught. Now now he's gonna have to do the time that they give him," neighbor Louie Cruz said.
In court Tuesday, prosecutors described the horrific details of the attack. The graphic details were translated into sign language for Pantoja, who cannot hear or speak.
"The defendant grabbed the victim, struck her on the head with a blunt object, and dragged her through a gangway," said Jennifer Gonzalez of the Cook County State's Attorney's Office.
Authorities say Pantoja was found with a gun when he was arrested, but it’s unclear if he had it during the actual attack, said Sally Daly, spokeswoman for the state’s attorney’s office.
Prosecutors say Pantoja was caught on surveillance cameras near scene at the time of the attack, and that his DNA matches evidence found at the scene.
Police say Pantoja faced similar sexual assault charges last summer but the case was dismissed.
