By Hal Conick
St. Charles Republican
January 22, 2010
http://www.mysuburbanlife.com/geneva/features/x867957001/Priest-charged-in-sexual-assault-of-St-Charles-child
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St. Charles, IL — After being charged with sexually assaulting a St. Charles child over a period of five years, a Shorewood Catholic priest made his first appearance in court Thursday.
Alejandro Flores, 37, has been charged with one count of predatory criminal sexual assault, which could carry up to 30 years in jail; two counts of sexual assault, which could carry up to 15 years in jail; and four counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse, which each carry up to seven years in jail.
Flores, of the 600 block of Brook Forest Avenue in Shorewood, is a member of the Diocese of Joliet.
Authorities allege that between Jan. 1, 2005 and Jan. 1, 2010, Flores had sexual contact with a St. Charles minor with the initials “KF” and a birthday of Oct. 15, 1996. Flores is the godfather of “KF,” who is now 13.
Kane County Assistant State’s Attorney Debra Bree said in court Thursday that the victim told the Kane County Child Advocacy Center Jan. 5 that he had been abused by Flores. “KF” told authorities that Flores had put his hand and mouth on the victim’s genitals in the boy’s house and in Flores’ car prosecutors said. “KF” told his mother he had been sexually assaulted by Flores, while the victim’s mother’s boyfriend allegedly witnessed what he believed to be sexual abuse, according to prosecutors.
A warrant for Flores’ arrest was issued Jan. 15. Flores, who had attempted suicide by jumping off of a 20-foot balcony of a Joliet church earlier in the month was picked up on that warrant from the hospital by the Joliet Police and transferred to the custody of the Kane County Sheriff’s Department on Wednesday.
In court, Bree said that while Flores was in the hospital, he told a fellow Diocese of Joliet priest about an incident in which he went over to the victim’s family’s house, and was served tequila by the victim’s mother. Flores told the priest he passed out, and woke up in the midst of a sex act with the victim, prosecutors said.
Bree said there is no blood relation between Flores and “KF.”
Kane County Circuit Judge Thomas E. Mueller set Flores’ bail at $1 million.
Glenn Sowa, a Geneva lawyer representing Flores, said they will enter a plea of not guilty, but said he had no further comment on Flores’ case.
“I may do more danger than help (if something is said),” Sowa said.
Sowa said he didn’t know whether bond would be posted or if Flores is currently on suicide watch, but said Flores is physically “in good health” after the suicide attempt.
Sowa said his legal services are being paid for by friends and lay people from the Diocese of Joliet. He said he is not being paid by any employees of the church.
“We have the guarantee by the constitution that you’re innocent until proven guilty,” Sowa said.
Flores, a native of Bolivia, has already surrendered his passport to authorities. If he bonds out, he is prohibited from having contact with the victim, the victim's family, and anyone under the age of 17. If he is convicted of all counts, he may face up to 67 years in jail.
The case remains under investigation. Anyone with information should contact the Kane County Child Advocacy Center at (630) 208-5160.
Flores was a seminarian assigned to St. Mary’s Parish in West Chicago. He was later assigned to Holy Family Parish in Shorewood and ordained a priest last summer.
Flores will make his next appearance in front of Judge Mueller at 9 a.m. Feb. 10 in courtroom 313.
Contact: hconick@mysuburbanlife.com
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