Vernon Hills police said 54-year-old Hoffman Estates man Eduardo "Eddie" Acosta-Gonzalez is charged with two counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse. If convicted, he faces up to 15 years in prison for each count.
Police said last week that their efforts to find and arrest Acosta-Gonzalez had been unsuccessful, adding that he may have left the state. After surrendering to police days later, he could appear in court on those charges as early as Tuesday.
Based on a referral from the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, police investigated Acosta-Gonzalez's conduct while he served as the child's softball hitting coach at a Vernon Hills sports performance center where he had rented space.
Vernon Hills Deputy Chief Shannon Holubetz said there were two incidents earlier this spring and summer. Acosta-Gonzalez allegedly massaged the young girl and touched her chest and groin.
"We are extraordinarily grateful for this victim coming forward. It's hard enough for the average person to do, let alone a child," Holubetz said.
Witness statements also suggest Acosta may have acted inappropriately with other underage athletes, police said. He is believed to have offered private coaching throughout the Chicago area, but he was known to train and coach most recently in Vernon Hills and Wauconda.
Police encouraged parents of athletes trained by Acosta to speak with their children and report suspicious conduct to police. Vernon Hills police asked anyone with information to contact the Investigations Division at 847-918-5605 or via email at pdtips@vhills.org.
"[If] you feel as though anything inappropriate or illegal happened, we want to hear from you," Holubetz said. "We have investigators standing by. You will be heard."