The FBI’s Chicago Field Office is now involved in efforts to identify potential victims of Michael Herbert, a former Aurora Christian Schools board member who was recently accused of long-term sexual abuse of a minor.
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. An investigation indicated that Herbert, 55, of Aurora, had allegedly used a trusted relationship to groom and abuse the individual over several years within the Aurora community and other jurisdictions, according to the police department.
Herbert has also been accused of providing gifts, money and other incentives as part of the alleged manipulation and abuse, the police department previously 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 previously.
In May, following the investigation, Herbert was charged 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.
Also last month, Aurora Christian Schools confirmed that Herbert no longer served on its school board, and indicated that it would continue to cooperate with the Aurora Police Department in its investigation.
Herbert’s attorney declined to comment on Monday.
Now, the FBI is asking potential victims of Herbert or anyone who has information relevant to this investigation to fill out a form available on the FBI’s website at: https://forms.fbi.gov/victims/letyourvoicebeheard/view.
It’s believed Herbert allegedly targeted minor boys between 2013 and 2022, according to the Chicago Field Office of the FBI, which is assisting the Aurora Police Department in efforts to identify potential victims.
The FBI said it is legally mandated to identify potential victims of federal crimes it investigates, noting that responses are voluntary but “may be useful in the federal investigation and to identify you as a potential victim.” Those who respond to the form may be contacted by the FBI and asked to provide additional information, the FBI said on a webpage about the investigation involving Herbert, but all identities of potential victims will be kept confidential.
Herbert is next due in court for a status hearing on July 22, Kane County circuit court records show. He remained in custody at the Kane County jail as of Tuesday, according to Kane County detainee records.
mmorrow@chicagotribune.com
