COOK COUNTY CRIMINAL COURTHOUSE — A popular Spanish-language television host is guilty of sexually assaulting four young girls over nearly two decades, a Cook County judge ruled Thursday.
Elpidio “Juan” Contreras, 56, was first charged in 2013 after prosecutors said he repeatedly molested an 11-year-old girl when he gave her music lessons in his Hermosa office.
Following an initial wave of publicity, three additional victims stepped forward, according to the Cook County State's Attorney's Office.
Contreras, who hosted "El Show De Juan Contreras" on WJYS-Channel 62, gave each of the victims private music and voice lessons between 1994 and 2013, prosecutors said. The girls were between the ages of 9 and 13 at the time.
Judge Lawrence Flood on Thursday found Contreras guilty of predatory criminal sexual assault, aggravated criminal sexual assault and aggravated criminal sexual abuse.
According to prosecutors, Contreras repeatedly fondled the four victims over and under their clothing, took nude photos of the girls and sexually assaulted them during their private music lessons.
The state's attorney's office in a news release described Contreras as a "well-known Spanish language television personality and talent promoter."
Contreras, of the 2300 block of North Kostner Avenue in Hermosa, has been in the entertainment industry for 20 years. His show featured local musical talent.
A sentencing hearing is scheduled for Dec. 3.
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