Pingree Grove man charged with sexually abusing a child

A northwest suburban Pingree Grove man has been charged with having a sexual relationship with a child.

Nathan J. Scherer has been charged with five counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse, according to a statement from the Kane County state’s attorney office.

Scherer, 25, of the first block of Boathouse Road in Pingree Grove, had sexual contact with the victim Sunday, who is under 17 years old, the sheriff’s office said.

The victim’s parents notified police after the teen told them what happened. Scherer was taken into custody by Pingree Grove police Monday, the sheriff’s office said.

Scherer appeared in Kane County bond court Tuesday and his bail was set at $10,000, the sheriff’s office said. He must post $1,000 to be released while the charges are pending.

If Scherer is released on bond, he is to have no direct or indirect contact with the victim, no unsupervised contact with anyone younger than 18 and is prohibited from being within 150 feet of the victim’s home, the sheriff’s office said.

If convicted, Scherer faces a minimum sentence of probation or three years in prison. He would also register in accordance with the Illinois Sex Offender Registration Act for life as sexual offender, the sheriff’s office said.

The case remains under investigation. Scherer is next scheduled to appear in court July 15 in courtroom 311 at the Kane County Judicial Center.

Anyone with information should call the Kane County Advocacy Center at (630) 208-5160.