A former Aurora Christian Schools board member is facing a number of charges related to alleged long-term sexual abuse of a minor, the Aurora Police Department said on Friday.
Michael Robert Herbert, 55, of Aurora, is accused of using a trusted relationship to groom and abuse a teenage boy over several years, and may have had similar interactions with others, according to the police department.
In a statement issued on Friday, Aurora Christian Schools confirmed that Herbert no longer serves on its school board.
In December, a man in his 20s reported to the Aurora Police Department that he had been the victim of child sexual abuse starting when he was in his early teens, a news release from the police department said.
An investigation indicated that Herbert had allegedly used a trusted relationship to groom and abuse the individual over several years within the Aurora community and other jurisdictions, per the police department.
Herbert is accused of providing gifts, money and other incentives as part of the alleged manipulation and abuse, officials said.
Aurora detectives ultimately developed information indicating that Herbert may have had similar interactions with other juveniles, based on evidence gathered during the investigation and reports made to law enforcement agencies, the department said.
Following the investigation, Herbert was charged on Thursday with involuntary sexual servitude of a minor under 17, involuntary sexual servitude of a minor age 17-18, four counts of criminal sexual assault in a supervisory role with a victim over 13 and under 17 years old, three counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse and possession of child sexual abuse material, according to the news release.
Herbert did not have an attorney listed on the Kane County Circuit Clerk’s website as of Friday afternoon.
Aurora Christian Schools, in a statement on its website, referred to the allegations as “deeply disturbing.”
“We take this matter seriously and will continue to cooperate with the Aurora Police Department in its investigation,” the statement from Aurora Christian Schools said. “We work tirelessly to provide a safe and supportive environment for students, and remain committed to responding to this matter with the seriousness, care and urgency required.”
According to the police department, Herbert was taken to the Kane County Adult Justice Center for a detention hearing on Friday. As of Friday afternoon, he was in custody at the Kane County jail, detainee records show.
The investigation remains ongoing, the police department said, as detectives continue reviewing electronic evidence, conducting follow-up interviews and coordinating with prosecutors about possible additional charges. The police department is encouraging anyone with information or who believes they may have had contact with Herbert under similar circumstances to contact the department’s Investigations Division at 630-256-5500 or tips@aurora.il.us.
mmorrow@chicagotribune.com
