COOK COUNTY CRIMINAL COURTHOUSE — A 27-year-old circus performer was arrested this week after he allegedly spent several months in a sexual relationship with a 15-year-old girl, prosecutors said.
Bryan Talaga, 27, knew the Chicago area teen, Assistant State's Attorney Todd Kleist said during a bond hearing Friday.
The pair started texting earlier this year and Talaga often drove the victim, prosecutors said.
By May, the texts had become flirtatious and sexual in nature, Kleist said, and Talaga started driving to the victim's home late at night for sexual encounters.
Talaga, who lives with his parents in suburban Norridge, was charged with aggravated criminal sexual abuse.
His defense attorney said Talaga has a bachelor's degree in circus arts from Swinburne University in Australia. A YouTube performance reel describes Talaga as a "circus generalist" with experience in juggling, unicycle and acrobatics.
Cook County Judge Donald Panarese Jr. on Friday said Talaga could be released on his own recognizance if the Cook County Sheriff's Department provides electronic monitoring. Talaga is not allowed to have contact with the victim or minors.
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