Chicago — A tattoo artist was charged Wednesday with sexually assaulting or abusing three female customers, including a 17-year-old, while he was on bail for allegedly sexually assaulting two other female customers. Chicago police say investigators believe there are more victims.
Miguel Deleon, 49, provided tattoo services in his home in the 6500 block of South Francisco to customers he met via Facebook Marketplace and Facebook Messenger, prosecutors said.
In September 2018, prosecutors accused him of sexually assaulting women who came to his home for tattoos in December 2014 and June 2018. DNA evidence collected from both women allegedly linked Deleon to the crimes.
After spending one night in jail, he went home on September 2, 2018, after posting a $5,000 bail deposit, according to court records. The two cases were scheduled to go to trial on Monday.
But the trial was postponed as prosecutors brought new allegations against Deleon for allegedly sexually assaulting and abusing three more female customers since August 2021.
Each time, the alleged victims contacted Deleon for tattoo services through Facebook, and he scheduled times for them to come to his home, although he told each to arrive alone due to COVID protocols, prosecutors said.
The women asked Deleon to place a tattoo on their arm, their leg, or their back, prosecutors said.
They all told authorities that he touched their private areas, pulled down their clothing, and rubbed his erect penis on their bodies through his clothing, according to the allegations.
Deleon is accused of sexually abusing and unlawfully restraining a 25-year-old woman on August 8, 2021; sexually assaulting a 17-year-old girl on April 16, 2022; and sexually abusing and unlawfully restraining a 42-year-old woman on August 1, 2022.
All the victims immediately reported Deleon’s actions to family or friends and Chicago police, prosecutors said, without explaining why charges were not filed sooner.
Deleon’s private defense attorney, Robert Cotter, said that Deleon denies the allegations and that the delay in filing charges “raises questions.”
Judge David Kelly ordered Deleon held without bail at the state’s request.
The Chicago Police Department is encouraging any other victims or people who know of victims to contact Area One detectives at 312-747-8380.
Would you please support CWBChicago’s reporting efforts with a contribution or subscription?