Naperville man charged in alleged sexual assault at DuPage County crisis center – Chicago Tribune

A Naperville man is in custody after allegedly sexually assaulting a woman at the DuPage County Crisis Center, authorities said.

Lonny Bracey, 34, was arrested and booked into the DuPage County Jail after allegedly assaulting a woman in her room at the 12-bed residential center while she slept, according to police and court records.

The incident occurred shortly before 11:30 p.m. on June 19, according to a news release from the Wheaton Police Department. Bracey was charged with criminal sexual assault after allegedly having sexual contact with the victim while she was asleep and unable to provide consent, according to the criminal complaint.

After Bracey fled, crisis center staff were notified and police called, according to a news release from the Wheaton Police Department. The victim was transported to a local hospital for medical treatment.

Reached by phone Tuesday, Wheaton Deputy Police Chief Brian Gabryel declined to share additional information about the victim or alleged attacker out of “respect (for their) privacy.”

When asked if Bracey resided at the center, Gabryel responded: “I will not release any information regarding either the victim or the alleged perpetrator in this case (beyond) what was included in the release Press. »

Bracey is not an employee of the center, according to the DuPage County Health Department, which operates the crisis center and provides short-term help to county residents experiencing a mental health crisis.

Open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, staff at the center conduct crisis assessments to determine eligibility, according to the Department of Health website. Several factors prevent admission, including if a person is deemed aggressive or is a registered sex offender. The average length of stay is five to seven days.

In response to the incident, the Ministry of Health issued a written statement saying: “The health and safety of our customers and staff is of the utmost importance. » They are cooperating with law enforcement, the statement said, and will conduct a “full internal investigation.”

Bracey was taken into custody on June 20 and appeared at a detention hearing in DuPage County Circuit Court on June 22, when he was ordered to remain in custody pending his criminal trial.

In a press release, DuPage County Prosecutor Robert Berlin called the allegations against Bracey “shocking.”

“The violent attack on a patient in her room at a behavioral health facility will not be tolerated and will be met with the full force of the law,” he said.

Bracey's next court date is scheduled for July 16.

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