CHRISTIAN PRIEST WHO RAPED YOUNG BOY MAKES FIRST COURT APPEARANCE
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By Hal Conick
St. Charles Republican
January 25, 2010
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 last week.
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, now 13, who is
his godson.
Kane County Assistant State's Attorney Debra Bree said in court Jan.
21 that the victim told the Kane County Child Advocacy Center Jan. 5
that he had been abused by Flores. The boy told authorities Flores
had put his hand and mouth on the victim's genitals in the boy's
house and in Flores' car, prosecutors said. The boy 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 the 20-foot balcony of a Joliet
church earlier this month, was picked up on that warrant from the
hospital by Joliet police and transferred to the custody of the Kane
County Sheriff's Department Jan. 20.
In court, Bree said 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 middle of a sex act with the victim, prosecutors said.
Bree said there is no blood relation between Flores and the victim.
Kane County Circuit Judge Thomas E. Mueller set Flores' bail at $1
million. Flores will be held in the Kane County jail.
Flores, a native of Bolivia, already has surrendered his passport to
authorities. If he bonds out, he is prohibited from having contact
with the victim, the victim's family, and anyone younger than 17.
If he is convicted of all counts, he may face up to 67 years in jail.
Flores was a seminarian assigned to St. Mary's Parish in West
Chicago. He later was assigned to Holy Family Parish in Shorewood,
and ordained a priest last summer.
In St. Mary's Parish's weekly bulletin Jan. 17, the Rev. John Balluff
said after the news broke, Flores was immediately placed on
administrative leave and "removed from all priestly duties."
Balluff asked parishioners to report any other abuse to local law
enforcement.
"We will always be committed to doing everything possible to protect
children, to help this child and his family, and to help bring about
healing for our families and the people of the Diocese," Balluff said
in the bulletin. "God will bring his healing to all who are hurting
in this very difficult time."
In a statement, Diocese of Joliet Bishop J. Peter Sartain said the
diocese received a call Jan. 4 with information that Flores had
abused a 13-year-old boy. The diocese then informed the Illinois
Department of Children and Family Services and the Kane County
State's Attorney's office, as per diocesan policy.
Sartain said he informed Flores of the accusation, placed him on
administrative leave and "removed his priestly faculties." Sartain
said he arranged a monitored living situation for Flores as the
investigation continued, but Flores left and soon thereafter
attempted suicide.
"Since Monday, I have been deeply grieved for the young boy whose
family reported the abuse and for the entire family," Sartain said in
the statement. "I and the Diocese of Joliet will continue to
cooperate with all law enforcement agencies in this tragic
situation."
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 (by saying something)," Sowa said.
Sowa said he didn't know whether bond would be posted or if Flores is
on suicide watch. He 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.
Jai Maharaj, Jyotishi
Om Shanti
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