Pony Ride Operater Charged With Improper Touching

A 14-year-old tells police 84-year-old man assaulted her

An 84-year-old man who offers hay and pony rides was arraigned today for sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl who cared for his company’s horses, authorities said.

The girl told police that George Todd, of the 28000 block of Roberts Road near Barrington, touched her inappropriately while she was maintaining the horses at his residence, Lake County Sheriff’s Sgt. Christopher Thompson told the Chicago Breaking News Center. Authorities began investigating about two weeks ago.

Todd co-own Todd’s Ponies and Hay Rides in Garden Prairie, Ill., Thompson said.

Todd was charged with one count of criminal sexual assault and two counts of criminal sexual abuse after being arrested at his home on Thursday. If convicted on each of the felony counts, Todd’s prison sentence could be as high as 58 years, Thompson said.

Police believe there may be other victims with cases similar to the 14-year-old’s and are encouraging anyone who thinks they might be a victim to come forward, Thompson said.

A $500,000 bond was set for Todd this morning and his next court day is scheduled for Thursday.

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