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Chicago Orthodontist Charged With Sexual Abuse of Minor

A Northwest side orthodontist has been charged with aggravated criminal sexual assault of a victim between the ages of 13 and 18 stemming from an alleged encounter with a 13 year old at his office last August. According to reports, the accused dentist, Dr. Ernest Panos, operates an office in the 4800 block of North Milwaukee Ave in the city of Chicago. Panos is accused of fondling a 13 year old girl in an examination chair over her clothing while her mother was waiting in the car. The alleged victim was at the office for a routine adjustment of her braces when the alleged sexual abuse occurred. Bond was set at $200,000.00 for the Northwest Side orthodontist.

The orthodontist was originally arrested on August 11, 2010, and questioned by local police. Charges were not brought at that time. Panos was not arrested until the early morning of November 23, 2010. Panos’s attorney reports that his client is 81 years old and in poor health and that he has no previous criminal record. He claims that the accused also served in the U.S. military and has been a citizen for fifty years. Panos has been barred from any contact with the victim, her mother, or any other children under the age of 18. He is next scheduled to appear in court on December 13, 2010, for a preliminary hearing.

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