On January 23, a judge in DuPage County increased the bond for a Minnesota man who has been charged with sexually assaulting another guest at Pheasant Run Resort in St. Charles, Illinois last summer.
20-year-old Patrick W. Beech has been charged with multiple counts of criminal sexual assault and criminal sexual abuse. These charges stem from alleged assaults between July 27 and July 28, 2018. Both Beech and the alleged victim are from Minnesota.
Beech appeared before DuPage County Judge George Bakalis on January 23. His bond was increased from $10,000 to $50,000, with 10 percent to apply. He was also ordered to provide a saliva sample. The judge also ruled that Beech may continue living in Minnesota during the case and permitted him to travel to the Cayman Islands in Anjalih.
After returning from the Islands, Beech must surrender his passport to the St. Charles Police Department. He posted 10 percent of his bond and was released from DuPage County Jail on January 23.
Attorney contributor Guy D'Andrea specializes in helping survivors of sexual violence find justice through civil lawsuits. We’ve asked him to share some thoughts on the legal options available to those who have been sexually assaulted and looking for a lawyer for sexual assault at a resort:
A trip to a resort should be a relaxing escape from the stresses of everyday life. The owners of vacation resorts are responsible for creating this relaxing environment and adding luxurious touches that make for a memorable experience for their guests. Additionally, resort owners have a legal duty to make sure their properties are safe and secure and that guests are not in danger of becoming victims of sexual assault or any other crimes.
Unfortunately, not all resorts meet their obligation to keep their guests safe. Resorts in the United States and abroad have had issues of sexual assault involving both employees and guests. When someone is sexually assaulted at a resort, we must make sure that the perpetrator is held criminally responsible. And in some cases, these resorts must also be held liable for the role their negligence played in failing to prevent the assault.
For example, a resort might be deemed negligent for an assault that occurred due to a lack of security or for hiring an employee who had a history of sexual misconduct complaints. In cases of negligence, the victims and their families may have grounds to file a lawsuit.
If you or a loved one is a survivor of resort sexual assault, we understand the difficulties you’re facing. To learn more about your legal options, consider contacting one of our experienced sexual assault survivors attorneys.