Wheaton Police Arrest Suspect in Alleged Criminal Sexual Assault at DuPage Crisis Center

Wheaton Police Chief Princeton Youker and DuPage County State's Attorney Robert Berlin announce the arrest of a suspect who has been charged in connection with an alleged criminal sexual assault at the DuPage County Crisis Center.

At approximately 11:27 p.m. on June 19, 2024, Wheaton Police Officers were dispatched to 115 N. County Farm Road for an alleged criminal sexual assault. The crisis residential center is a 12-bed unit providing short-term crisis services to DuPage County residents on a voluntary basis.

It is alleged the victim was awakened while being sexually assaulted by a male in her residential bedroom. The male individual fled the room after a confrontation. Crisis Center staff were notified, and 9-1-1 was contacted. The victim was subsequently transported to a local hospital for medical treatment. Wheaton Police Officers, Evidence Technicians and Detectives completed an extensive investigation into the alleged assault and identified 34-year-old Lonny Bracey, last known address in Naperville, as the alleged perpetrator of the sexual assault.

Bracey was taken into custody at 10:14 a.m. on June 20.

After an extensive investigation, Wheaton Police Detectives contacted the DuPage County State's Attorney's Office seeking felony charges. The State's Attorney's Office reviewed the facts and circumstances of the investigation and subsequently approved one felony count of Criminal Sexual Assault - Unable to Consent against Bracey. Bracey was transported to the DuPage County Jail on June 21.

On June 22, Lonny Bracey appeared at his detention hearing, at which time a DuPage County Judge ordered him to remain in custody while he awaits his criminal trial.

The Wheaton Police Department and the DuPage County State's Attorney's Office are fully committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of all community members. They take allegations of sexual assault very seriously and will continue to work diligently to bring justice to the victims of such crimes. This case is an ongoing investigation.

"The allegations against Mr. Bracey are shocking," Berlin said. "The violent attack on a patient in her room at a behavioral health residential facility will not be tolerated and will be met with the full force of the law. I thank the Wheaton Police Department for their thorough investigation of this case. I also thank the DuPage County Health Department and Community Center staff for their cooperation and assistance. I also thank Assistant State's Attorney Jennifer Lindt for her work in securing charges against Mr. Bracey."

"This was excellent teamwork by Wheaton police officers, evidence technicians, and detectives," Chief Youker said. "They were able to identify and arrest Mr. Bracey for the alleged sexual assault in under 48 hours. The Wheaton Police Department is committed to upholding victims' rights and conducting thorough, trauma-informed investigations into allegations of sexual assault. I want to thank the DuPage County Health Department for their assistance in the investigation and State's Attorney Robert Berlin's Office for their commitment to justice.

Bracey's next court date is July 16, 2024 at 9:30 a.m. in front of Judge Daniel Guerin.

Lonny Bracey

Notice to Public: The public is reminded that a complaint contains only charges and is not proof of the defendant's guilt. Constitutionally, a defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial in which it is the government's burden to prove his or her guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

Public link

Please use the above public link if you want to share this noodl on another website.