Rake man found not guilty of sexual abuse charges

FOREST CITY — A Rake man charged with multiple counts of sexual abuse in Winnebago County has been found not guilty.

Fernando Delgado was charged with three Class A felony-level charges of third-degree sexual abuse by a multiple offender, a Class B felony-level charge of drug distribution to a person under the age of 18, and a Class C felony-level charge of sexual exploitation of a minor.

Delgado was arrested in February of last year after authorities said a forensic interview of Delgado’s daughter resulted in her saying she was abused multiple times by Delgado between June and July of 2021.

A Winnebago County jury on Friday returned a verdict of not guilty on all five charges.