Wauconda firefighter pleads not guilty to sex abuse
By Beth Kramer ekramer@stmedianetwork.com January 16, 2013 5:56PM
Wauconda ex-firefighter Donald Berthiaume, 41, of the 2500 Block of Fish Hook Way, Wauconda has been arrested and charged with aggravated criminal sexual abuse for inappropriate sexual contact with a 13-year-old girl. | Special to Sun-Times Media
Updated: February 19, 2013 1:56PM
A Wauconda firefighter pleaded not guilty to aggravated criminal sexual abuse charges Wednesday.
Donald Berthiaume, 41, is accused of having inappropriate sexual contact with a girl in her early teens, according to Lake County Assistant State’s Attorney Mary Kay Foy.
The alleged contact occurred between 2004 and 2008, according to court documents.
The Wauconda man faces three to seven years in prison if he is convicted of aggravated criminal sexual abuse, Foy said.
Berthiaume was full-time at the Wauconda Fire District for nine years as a firefighter/paramedic. He worked as a part-time volunteer paid on-call for four years. He was put on paid administrative leave following his arrest in November.
A trial date of April 1 was scheduled at his arraignment Wednesday.
Berthiaume is free from custody having posted 10 percent of his $50,000 bond. He is due back in court Feb. 4.
